Who Got Perfect Scores on the Corporate Equality Index?

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recently released its Corporate Equality Index 2018, a list that rates workplaces on LGBTQ equality issues.

A review of the list showed that more than two dozen companies involved in the travel industry have earned perfect scores.

While welcome news, this was not particularly a surprise in an industry that has long been inclusive of—and often a magnet for—gay and lesbian employees.

MORE LGBTQ

WorldPride Excitement Builds in New York

LGBTQ Travelers and the Luxury Market, Part 2

Queer Travel Safety Is Key, Even During Pride

“It’s no surprise that many top-scoring businesses are also top-performing businesses. They know that creating inclusive workplaces and communities where their employees can thrive is an investment in their own competitive edge. That’s why LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies are becoming the norm in the U.S. and having an impact around the globe,” said Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

However, Griffin also noted that these rights are under attack in this fraught political climate, and employers need to speak up.

“Businesses are also continuing to speak out when the rights of LGBTQ people come under attack,” he said.

“From joining the fight against anti-LGBTQ legislation in Texas to backing the federal Equality Act in record-breaking numbers, hundreds of corporate allies are raising their influential voices in the public square. Their support has been critical in fighting back against attacks on not only their LGBTQ workers but millions of other LGBTQ people all across America who too often find themselves being attacked for cynical political gain.”

The 16th edition of the Index found that 609 different businesses met all of the included criteria, earning a 100 percent rating and the designation of being a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”

This is the highest number in the history of the CEI.

READ MORE: Marriott Takes Lead in LGBTQ, Multicultural Efforts

Criteria for this latest Index were as follows:

—Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation for all operations (15 points)

—Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression for all operations (15 points)

—Has contractor/vendor non-discrimination standards that include sexual orientation and gender identity (5 points)

—Offers equivalent spousal and partner medical benefits (10 points)

—Parity across spousal and partner “soft” benefits (10 points) - (half credit for parity across some, but not all benefits)

—Offers transgender-inclusive health insurance coverage (10 points)

—Firm-wide organizational competency programs (10 points)

—Has employer-supported employee resource group or firm-wide diversity council (10 points)

—Would support ERG if employees express interest (half credit)

—Positively engages the external LGBTQ community (15 points) - (partial credit of 10 points given for less than 3 efforts)

—Have internal guidelines that prohibit philanthropic giving to non-religious organizations with an explicit policy of discrimination against LGBTQ people (5 points)

READ MORE: JetBlue Named Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

These companies related to the hospitality industry earned perfect 100 percent scores:

—Airbnb Inc.

—Alaska Airlines

—American Airlines

—Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

—Caesars Entertainment Corp.

—Carnival Corp.

—Choice Hotels International Inc.

—Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The

—Darden Restaurants Inc.

—Delta Air Lines Inc.

—Expedia Inc.

—Hilton Inc.

—Hyatt Hotels Corp.

—InterContinental Hotels Group America

—JetBlue Airways Corp.

—Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC

—Marriott International Inc.

—MGM Resorts International

—Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

—Southwest Airlines Co.

—United Airlines

—Walt Disney Co., The

—Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

—Wynn Resorts Ltd.

—Yelp Inc.