Company Earns a Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate
Equality Index
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2013--
Discover Financial Services has been named as a Best Place to Work for
LGBT Equality by the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual 2014 Corporate
Equality Index. Discover earned a perfect score of 100 in the report for
advancing corporate practices, policies and benefits related to LGBT
employees.
“Discover’s perfect score is a testament to the value we place on having
a diverse workforce and practicing inclusive behaviors,” said David
Nelms, chairman and chief executive of Discover. “Leveraging our
diversity and providing options and benefits that support our employees’
well-being are not only the right things to do; they are also key
business drivers that set us apart from our competitors and make us a
stronger organization.”
Nelms is an executive sponsor of Discover's Diversity and Inclusion
Advisory Board and supported the development of the employee connection
groups. PRIDE, which supports LGBT employees and allies, is one of seven
employee connection groups at Discover. These grassroots groups work
with Discover leadership to drive business results, foster an inclusive
environment, and promote company success in the marketplace and
community.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI)
provides an in-depth analysis and rating of U.S. employers and their
policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender employees. Ratings are determined by the number of criteria
that are met by each company, such as employment benefits and
non-discrimination policies. Businesses that achieve a rating of 100
percent in the report are recognized as “Best Places to Work for LGBT
Equality.”
“Corporate America has long recognized the imperative of LGBT inclusion
by implementing their own LGBT-friendly policies ahead of lawmakers,”
said Workplace Equality Program Director Deena Fidas. “We are at the
front of a new era in which major businesses are not only meeting
ever-higher new bars for workplace fairness, they are exceeding them by
becoming social and public policy change agents in the process. They
recognize equality is not just the right thing to do, it is sound
business practice.”
Over the past 12 years, the CEI has become the gold standard for
corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees and their
families. A total of 934 businesses have been rated in the 2014 CEI,
including the entire Fortune 500. This year, 304 major businesses —
spanning nearly every industry and geography — earned a top score of 100.
For more information about Discover’s corporate responsibility and
benefits, visit www.discover.com/company/corporate-responsibility/.
For more information on the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual 2014
Corporate Equality Index and to view the full report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home
loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans,
checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market
accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover
Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one
of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club
International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than
185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
Source: Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services
Rob Weiss, 224-405-6304
robertweiss@discover.com