BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Blue Cross joins the ranks of more than 407 U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
The 2016 CEI rated 1,027 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Blue Cross' efforts have resulted in the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.
"Being honored by the Human Rights Campaign for our dedication to workplace equality is an honor for everyone in the company," said Sue Sgroi, Senior Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness and Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Cross. "We are proud to train new employees and supervisors on how to understand sexual orientation and gender identity while having an EEO Policy that now includes gender expression and identity."
More than 30 Blue Cross employees – including senior vice presidents and members of various leadership teams – collaborated on the survey to highlight our dedication to workplace inclusion and equality.
"In this 2016 Corporate Equality Index, hundreds of major businesses responded to our new standards for workplace equality with exceptional leadership," said Deena Fidas, Human Rights Campaign Foundation Workplace Equality Program Director. "Blue Cross not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."
For more information on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 29,400 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+.
About Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
