The Human Rights Campaign has released its first index of inclusion within a faith-based community with the Jewish Organization Equality Index (JOEI), according to a press release.
Key findings of JOEI show how a broad range of Jewish organizations address LGBT diversity and inclusion in three categories of practice: organizational inclusion efforts, community/client engagement and workplace policies. Of the 204 Jewish nonprofit organizations that participated, 50% received the top score of "inclusion," meaning they are taking significant steps to welcome LGBT individuals and families.
Among other significant findings are:
—98 percent of participating membership-based organizations offer same-sex couples family memberships;
—73 percent of responding organizations have a written non-discrimination policy; and
—66 percent of participating organizations actively reach out to the LGBT community to attract members or clients.
See www.hrc.org/joei for the entire report.
New corporate index
The Human Rights Campaign has also released its most recent Corporate Equality Index (CEI), according to a press release.
In the 2013 CEI, a record 252 businesses achieved the top rating of 100 percent, earning the distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality." In the first CEI, issued 11 years ago, only 13 businesses rated that high.
Other findings include:
—A record 74 major businesses and law firms publicly supported pro-equality legislation at the state and federal levels; and
—This year's CEI marks the first time a majority of Fortune 500 companies have nondiscrimination policies that cover gender identity (from 50 percent to 57 percent), while 84 percent of overall CEI participants cover gender identity.
Illinois companies and firms that scored 100 percent include A.T. Kearney, Aon Corp., Baker & McKenzie LLP, BMO Bankcorp Inc., Chapman and Cutler LLP, Exelon Corp., Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Hyatt Hotels Corp., Jenner & Block LLP and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.
The list continues with Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Kraft Foods Inc., Mayer Brown LLP, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, MillerCoors LLC, Navigant Consulting Inc., Northern Trust Corp., Orbitz Worldwide Inc., Schiff Hardin LLP, Sears Holdings Corp., Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, SNR Denton US LLP, Starcom MediaVest Group, United Airlines, Walgreen Co. and Winston & Strawn LLP.
"Corporate America continues to raise the bar in workplace fairness," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "LGBT-inclusive workplace policies are not only the right thing to do and good business practices, they are the new normal."
The full report is at www.hrc.org/cei.
