Plano-based JCPenney receives top rating on Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index

by PegNews wire

PLANO — J.C. Penney Company, Inc. has announced that it has earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index, released by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) today. This is the second consecutive year that the retailer has received a top rating on the index which measures employers on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and consumers. As part of this recognition, JCPenney will again be featured on HRC’s "Best Places to Work" list as well as the organization’s annual "Buying Guide for Equality."

“We are extremely honored that the Human Rights Campaign has again recognized our Company’s efforts to build an inclusive and diverse environment for our Associates and Customers,” said Wilson Dunnington, vice president and director of inclusion and diversity at JCPenney. “Maintaining a perfect score demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing Company programs and policies that address the needs of our entire work force, which is critical to achieving our goal of becoming the preferred shopping choice for Middle America."

Since it was launched in 2002, the Corporate Equality Index has become the standard by which companies are measured in regard to GLBT diversity and inclusion. The Index, which this year rated 583 businesses in total, evaluates GLBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits.

“The 2009 Corporate Equality Index shows that corporate America understands that a diverse workforce is critical to remaining successful and competitive,” said HRC Foundation President Joe Solmonese. “In the absence of a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, it is up to employers to take the lead and implement policies that ensure all their employees are protected.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Source: JC Penney