For the 13th consecutive year, Prudential Financial, Inc. has earned the highest score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index for its programs and practices that support the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees, consumers and investors.
“Our inclusive culture is a business imperative that helps us recruit, engage and retain diverse talent,” said Michele Meyer-Shipp, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Prudential. “We believe creating a workforce that values all employees is an integral part of our strategic growth and innovation story, and is a key driver for us to excel in the marketplace. This recognition is a reflection of a dedicated leadership, but also of the hard work of our employees who make diversity and inclusion come to life in the workplace every day.”
The 2016 CEI rated 1,024 businesses on their LGBT practices including non-discrimination policies, health benefits and public engagement. The Index recognized Prudential’s business resource group, EAGLES (Employee Association of Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies), and responsible citizenship as internal and external contributing factors to its high score.
“It’s important for us to align our talent with our community efforts and how we show up in the marketplace,” Meyer-Shipp said. “EAGLES plays an instrumental role in helping us gain insights into important financial issues within the LGBT community. This is an example of how diverse perspectives lie at the core of our ability to reach diverse consumers.”
In 2012, Prudential launched the LGBT Financial Experience, part of Prudential’s signature research series, which examines financial priorities and behaviors among America’s diverse communities. The next edition of the survey, which will measure financial trends and attitudes in the LGBT community to better serve consumers, is scheduled to be released in 2016. Following the inaugural research, Prudential released two groundbreaking white papers on financial considerations for LGBT couples. The most recent, “Financial Planning for LGBT Couples After U.S. v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges.”, was released after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision to recognize all same-sex marriages, and provides an extensive guide and checklist on key considerations for this community.
Other companies who scored 100 in this year’s index include IKEA and Intel.
