Bloomberg Is Named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for Third Straight Year

Apr 10, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Bloomberg is named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by Human Rights Ca…

Bloomberg has been named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality across the United States. Bloomberg joins the ranks of more than 560 major U.S. businesses that earned top marks this year. Notably, this is the third year in a row that Bloomberg has earned top marks in this annual scorecard on LGBTQ workplace equality.

“We are delighted to have received a perfect score on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index for the third year running,” said Bloomberg’s Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Pamela Hutchinson. “We are proud to receive this recognition, which is a very visible endorsement of our unwavering commitment to this agenda.”

Over the last year, Bloomberg has epitomized leadership on key LGBTQ issues, including being an early adopter of a set of United Nations standards for business conduct tackling discrimination against and unfair treatment of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people in the workplace, as well as signing the Business Statement for Transgender Equality, which was issued late last year by 18 LGBTQ community organizations, led by Out Leadership and the Human Rights Campaign. In collaboration with the Tyler Clementi Foundation, the company also hosted anti-bullying campaign discussions on GLAAD Spirit Day, which covered issues such as LGBT inequality.

Since 2000, Bloomberg LP has provided benefits to domestic partners, regardless of gender, in the U.S. It’s also provided the full suite of health benefits recommended by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s (WPATH) Standards of Care for U.S. employees who plan to transition. Bloomberg is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees and requires all staff to take Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Prevention training courses, in addition to providing support for transitioning employees.

The company also plans to demonstrably engage and support the LGBT community throughout 2019, a year which marks the 50thanniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Bloomberg’s LGBT & Ally Community (BProud) will participate and hold parallel events around the globe along with the following:

  • International Transgender Day of Visibility (3/31)
  • New York AIDS Walk (5/19)
  • Open Finance Forum (6/25)
  • Pride Marches (June)
  • International Day Against Homophobia (5/17)
  • GLAAD Spirit Day (10/17)
  • World AIDS Day (12/1)

Support for LGBTQ causes and the company’s LGBTQ employees has always come from Bloomberg’s leaders.

As Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg championed LGBTQ rights throughout his administration, officiating the first same-sex marriage the day it became legal in New York State in 2011. In 2012, he was a signatory on an amicus brief regarding the landmark case United States v. Windsor, which eventually made marriage equal and available to all after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2016.

Bloomberg Chairman Peter T. Grauer was also ranked #9 on the 2018 Financial Times/OUTstanding Top 50 Ally Executives list for his work driving LGBTQ inclusion. In addition, Amin Kassam, Chief of Staff and senior counsel in the Bloomberg Legal Department, was recognized on the 2018 Financial Times/OUTstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Executives list for his efforts to create a supportive workplace for other LGBT+ people. Plus, Bloomberg’s Global Chief Compliance Officer, Fadi Hanna, sits on the Board of Directors of Immigration Equality, one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organizations.

Grauer has also been a strong supporter and active member of the Global Advisory Board of Out Leadership, an organization driving LGBTQ equality efforts in the financial sector and corporate suites worldwide.

“Bloomberg is honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for the third straight year for our ongoing leadership and commitment to LGBTQ workplace equality,” said Grauer. “We are dedicated to taking a holistic approach to diversity in order to build a truly inclusive workplace environment for all — regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion, as well as supporting those with mental health issues or disabilities.”

The 2019 CEI evaluated and rated LGBTQ-related policies and practices of 1,028 businesses, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Bloomberg’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. For the full list of recognized employers on this year’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/cei, where you can download a free copy of the full report.

Read the full press release here.