Is your favorite bookseller gay-friendly?
Every year the HRC releases a list of companies and ranks them according to how they treat their gay employees. From domestic partner benefits to diversity training, the list of companies that are offering better opportunities to their LGBT employees continues to grow. In fact, there was a 41% increase in the number of companies receiving a perfect score this year (as compared to 2006) including my favorite large book retailer, Borders. (I know, I know I’m supposed to support the little guys…and I do when I can, I swear!)
It’s great that companies are moving forward, and also good that the HRC continually holds them accountable for their actions. What amazes me, however, is that some major companies have managed to score a zero for a number of years in a row. Such companies as Exxon Mobil offer absolutely nothing in the way of support for their LGBT employees. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to work in a place like that. So then I began to wonder, since I’ve never heard from anyone before, how Exxon Mobil’s employees deal with this situation, and if they’d even be able to come forward to give their side of the story.
I also wonder how the company’s CEOs feel about being on the bottom of such a list so often. Do you think they care? According to “The Advocate,” they neither returned the HRC’s survey, nor returned “The Advocate’s” request for comment on the subject. So I guess they don’t.
The index is a fascinating read (if you’re into reading reports and statistics, which dorkily I am) and I recommend taking a look. You may find out some interesting information about some of your favorite companies. Check it out here.
A side question if people are interested in leaving comments, are you prone to boycott or support companies based on findings in surveys such as the one conducted by the HRC? I’m just wondering how much knowing about this information has an effect on the general public. Or do you just sleep better at night knowing the gay barista who makes your chai every morning is completely protected by Starbucks, like me?
Sara
November 8th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
yes, HRC’s corporate equality index has changed the business landscape and, from there, our society!
this past week i was honored to attend a new project, co-sponsored by HRC and The National Gay Chamber of Commerce on a new index they are rolling out called…
The Healthcare Equality Index!
This joint effort is poised to make positive changes in our healthcare system (in regards to sexual and gender orientation) much like the Workplace Index impacted corporate America.
We were disappointed that more folks didn’t show, but, hey, this was the first year in this effort and groups like Out & Equal, which was a big part of helping corporate america come around, found their annual ’summits’ growing dramatically from their humble beginnings.
So, be sure to check out http://www.nglcc.org and http://www.outandhealthy.org so you can get involved!