The HRC Corporate Equality Index ranks 23 Pennsylvania-based companies on its 2019 list of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”
Most of those companies are based in Philadelphia or suburban Main Line. Twelve of the top 20 Fortune 500 ranked companies received 100 percent ratings and nine of those companies are also employers in the Philadelphia area.
The Corporate Equality Index is a 130-page report investigating all aspects of a company or corporation, and it provides a deep delve into every aspect of LGBTQ-related employment concerns. The Corporate Equality Index rating criteria has three main areas: nondiscrimination policies across business entities, equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families and supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility. There is a point system that ranks each area of concern.
HRC has been publishing the Corporate Equality Index since 2002. The companies that are eligible for rankings are culled from the Fortune 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine’s top 200 revenue-grossing law firms and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses. Philadelphia law firms featured prominently.
The report offers a succinct statement on why it is necessary: “Clearly enumerated nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are essential to LGBTQ workforce equity and inclusion. The policies help to ensure equal opportunity for all employees; diverse talent acquisition and retention for broader economic growth; and keeping the employer apace with changing legal and public opinion landscapes.”
The report adds that corporations that are inclusive also do better financially and notes, “these policies represent minimal upfront costs and rates of litigation upon implementation are consistent with other protected classes.”
The way the Corporate Equality Index ranked businesses comprise these comprehensive criteria which total 100 percent: Fifteen points each were awarded for prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation for all operations and prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity for all operations. Equivalency in same- and different-sex spousal medical and soft benefits received 10 points, with half credit for parity across some, but not all benefits. Equivalency in same- and different-sex domestic partner medical and soft benefits received 10 points with half credit for parity across some, but not all benefits. Equal health coverage for transgender individuals without exclusion for medically necessary care received 10 points with half credit for inclusive coverage, but blanket exclusions for transition-related care remain in place.
In addition to those benefits-related rankings, diversity-based rankings were awarded 10 points each for having three LGBTQ internal training and education best practices and for employee group or diversity councils. Fifteen points were awarded for three distinct efforts of outreach or engagement to broader LGBTQ community, and if a supplier diversity program is in place, including LGBTQ suppliers. Five points were awarded for contractor/supplier nondiscrimination standards and philanthropic giving guidelines.
The national corporations that are also employers throughout the Philadelphia and suburban Philadelphia area that are in the top 12 are Apple Inc., AT&T, Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp, CVS Health Corp., The Kroger Co., UnitedHealth Group Inc., Verizon Communications, Inc., Walgreen Co., and Walmart.
Law firms comprised the majority of the Philadelphia-based companies that made the CEI 100 percent. The best companies for LGBTQ folks in the Philadelphia area were Aramark Inc., Ballard Spahr LLP, Blank Rome LLP, Chubb Ltd, Derkert LLP, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Fox Rothschild LLP, Giant Food Stores LLC, Ikea Holding U.S. Inc. in Conshohocken, Lincoln National Corp. in Radnor, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, SAP America Inc. in Newtown Square, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, TE Connectivity Inc. in
Berwyn, and Vanguard Group Inc. in Malvern.
Companies in Allentown and Pittsburgh also made the 100 percent list in Pennsylvania, as well as The Hershey Co. in Hershey. Additionally, the report includes a list of companies that support the Equality Act.