RALEIGH – A new survey finds a growing number of companies, including Cary-based SAS and other North Carolina firms, rank highly in key measures that track whether companies are providing equal opportunities for employees who identify as LGBTQ+.

The index, known as the Corporate Equality Index, is a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the CEI 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers – from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns – could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training, in a statement.  “But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere.”

In total, 842 companies earned a full 100% rating for 2022, the Index showed.  Lenovo, GlaxoSmithKline, Labcorp, Duke Energy, Lowe’s, Food Lion, and Truist all earned top marks in 2020, as well, WRAL TechWire reported.

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North Carolina firms that top the index

Firms to receive top marks on the index included Cary-headquartered SAS.

“As a leader in providing a high standard of workplace excellence, we continue to make progress and drive change through employee feedback, surveys, and industry benchmarks,” said Jenn Mann, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at SAS in a statement. “That’s why in 2020, SAS first participated in the CEI to identify gaps and found opportunities for us to be more explicitly inclusive in communicating our policies by specifically calling out coverage available to employees and expand coverage to ensure inclusivity. We are always looking to improve our programs and ensure all employees thrive at work and in life.”

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Salisbury-based Retail Business Services earned a rating of 100, the top rating in the index, for the third year in a row.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index again this year,” said Roger Wheeler, President of Retail Business Services, in a statement.  “We have a deep focus on building a culture of belonging in Retail Business Services. Being a welcoming place where associates can bring their whole selves to work is core to who we are.”

More firms with ties to NC

Other companies with headquarters or major facilities in North Carolina that appear on the index, with ratings of 100 include:

  • Ally Financial
  • Amazon.com Inc.
  • Amgen Inc.
  • Apple Inc.
  • Ball Corp.
  • Barclays
  • Biogen
  • Centene Corp.
  • Cisco Systems Inc.
  • Credit Suisse USA Inc.
  • Duke Energy Corp.
  • Eli Lilly & Co.
  • Emerson Electric Co.
  • Food Lion LLC
  • Gilead Sciences Inc.
  • GlaxoSmithKline LLC
  • Google Inc.
  • IBM Corp.
  • Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Labcorp)
  • Lenovo United States Inc.
  • Lowe’s Companies Inc.
  • NetApp Inc.
  • New Belgium Brewing Company
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Red Hat Inc.
  • Relias LLC
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
  • Truist Financial

The full list of all companies can be viewed here.

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