Food, beverage, grocery lead charge in fostering inclusive workplaces

When it comes to inclusive benefits and protections supporting workplace equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations the food, beverage and grocery sectors are leading the charge.

A new Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation report, the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), reveals a record-breaking 407 companies nationwide earned 100-point scores and 24 were from the food, beverage and grocery segments, according to an announcement. One new sector participant this year was WhiteWave Foods Co. of Denver, Colorado, which entered with a perfect score of 100. Diageo North America of Norwalk, Connecticut. has received a perfect score for the past eight years

The HRC is the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

The CEI report, which polled 851 companies, rates companies based on whether they have inclusive benefits and protections that support workplace equality for LGBT employees. A full breakdown of the CEI scores for the food, beverage and grocery sector, including 33 Fortune 500 companies, can be found here.

"We once again are pleased to see the inclusive work being done by these familiar household brands, and your neighborhood stores, to ensure fairness for their LGBT employees," said Deena Fidas, director of the HRC Foundation's Workplace Equality Program, in a statement.

"From your neighborhood grocery store to the brands in kids' lunchboxes, the companies behind our most familiar household brands are also companies that have led on equality for LGBT employees. From equitable benefits to inclusive non-discrimination policies, food and grocery chains are invested in attracting and retaining top talent — proving that an equitable workplace for all employees is simply smart business."

The organization stated the results of this year's CEI showcases how hundreds of U.S.-based multinational companies are not only promoting LGBT-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. but helping to advance the cause of LGBT equality around the globe.

"Our nation's top companies continue to rise to the challenge of creating workplaces that are fully LGBT-inclusive," said Chad Griffin, HRC president. "This year's CEI demonstrates yet again that America's most successful companies continue to set the standard for inclusion, and understand that the fight for LGBT equality is a global endeavor, to be pursued with resolve and urgency."