Alcatel-Lucent has achieved a top rating of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, along with 194 other businesses that are based in the United States or which have a major U.S. presence. The Index rates employers on a scale from 0 percent to 100 percent on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) U.S. employees, consumers and investors.
Lucent Technologies achieved a 100 percent score for each of the five years prior to its merger with Alcatel.
"We're delighted that in its first year of eligibility Alcatel-Lucent has continued the tradition established by Lucent in achieving 100 percent on the Index," says Ethel Batten, Human Resources vice president--Global Diversity, Compliance & Policy. "Our score indicates that Alcatel-Lucent values a diverse and dedicated work force and is committed to a broad policy of inclusion."
The Corporate Equality Index, which this year rated 519 businesses, measures the extent to which employers protect their GLBT employees. Ratings are based on such factors as nondiscrimination policies, diversity training, and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees.
The 195 businesses that met all of the criteria employ more than 8.3 million workers. When the Index was first released in 2002, only 13 companies, employing 690,000 workers, received the top rating.
"These employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to complete in the global marketplace," says Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
The fourth annual Corporate Equality Index Awards Reception will be held Wednesday, October 17, at Ernst & Young LLP in New York City.
Details can be found on the HRC Web site at: HRC Website.
You can also access a PDF of the full report from this year and previous years at: HRC Report.