Dow Chemical Co.
Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. is among the Michigan companies that received a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2016 Corporate Equality Index.
(Courtesy | The Dow Chemical Co.)
MIDLAND, MI -- The Dow Chemical Co., Kellogg Co., Whirlpool Corp., General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. are among the Michigan companies that received a score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2016 Corporate Equality Index.
Officials with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, released the Corporate Equality Index. The annual report assesses LGBT inclusion in major companies and law firms across the nation, including 21 in Michigan, according to a Human Rights Campaign news release.
Here's a look at how those 21 Michigan companies scored:
- The Dow Chemical Co., 100 percent
- Dykema Gossett PLLC, 100 percent
- Ford Motor Co., 100 percent
- General Motors Co., 100 percent
- Herman Miller Inc., 100 percent
- Kellogg Co., 100 percent
- Steelcase Inc., 100 percent
- Whirlpool Corp., 100 percent
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 95 percent
- FCA US LLC, 95 percent
- Kelly Services Inc., 95 percent
- Visteon Corp., 95 percent
- Lear Corp., 85 percent
- Meijer Inc., 85 percent
- Stryker Corp., 80 percent
- Truven Health Analytics Inc., 80 percent
- Domino's Pizza Inc., 75 percent
- DTE Energy Co., 75 percent
- Valassis Communications Inc., 60 percent
- CMS Energy Services, 35 percent
- Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, 20 percent
Dow Chemical has been vocal when it comes to LGBT inclusion in the workplace, joining the call for the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity protections under Michigan law.
Dow Chemical also supported the challenge to gay marriage bans, joining 379 businesses and organizations in signing on to an amicus brief filed in the case, Obergefell v. Hodges.
The 2016 index shows a record 407 businesses spanning nearly every industry and geography earned a top score of 100 percent and the coveted distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," according to the release.
"That record number of perfect scores was achieved despite demanding new criteria requiring that companies with global operations extend non-discrimination protections for their LGBT workers worldwide," the release states.
In total, 851 companies were officially rated in the 2016 CEI, up from 781 in the 2015 report. The report also unofficially rated 176 Fortune 500 companies, which have yet to respond to the CEI survey about their LGBT policies and practices, the release states.
The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria within the following five categories:
- Non-discrimination policies
- Employment benefits
- Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion
- Public commitment to LGBT equality
- Responsible citizenship
The average score for companies and law firms based in Michigan is 85 percent. Of the 21 companies ranked, eight earned 100 percent, four earned 90 percent or above, and four earned 80 percent or above.
Read the full report here.
"Corporate America has long been a leader on LGBT equality, from advocating for marriage equality to expanding essential benefits to transgender employees," HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement.
"But this year, many leading U.S. companies have broken new ground by expanding explicit non-discrimination protections to their LGBT workers around the globe. They've shown the world that LGBT equality isn't an issue that stops at our own borders, but extends internationally."
However, LGBT rights proponents say LGBT workers still face significant obstacles in some places and within some companies.
"While support for LGBT workers is growing in the U.S. and around the world, too many companies still fail to guarantee basic, vital workplace protections that allow employees to bring their full selves to work," Griffin's statement continued.
"That continues to create barriers for LGBT people, especially for transgender people, who face high rates of unemployment and discrimination in hiring. These companies should look to the example set by global corporate leaders as a path forward to achieving LGBT equality for all workers, no matter where they live."
Here are some key national findings in the report:
- 407 companies earned a 100 percent in the 2015 CEI, up from 366 in the 2015 report.
- 511 companies participating in this year's CEI now offer transgender workers at least one health care plan that has transgender-inclusive coverage. That represents a 150 percent increase since 2012, when the CEI first included trans-inclusive health care as a requisite for companies to receive a perfect score.
- Gender identity is now part of non-discrimination policies at 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, up from 3 percent in 2002.
- More than 330 major employers have adopted supportive inclusion guidelines for transgender workers who are transitioning.
Heather Jordan is a reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News/The Bay City Times. She can be reached at 989-450-2652 or hjordan@mlive.com. For more news, follow her on Twitter.