A handful of North Carolina and South Carolina businesses have been ranked by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, to varying results. Released on Wednesday, Nov. 18, the index rates company’s LGBT worker inclusion in major companies and law firms across the country.
Charlotte
Charlotte-based Bank of America was one of the companies given a perfect score of 100. Duke Energy received a 90, losing points for failing to offer transgender-inclusive health plans. Moore & Van Allen PLLC received an 85. Compass Group USA, a food service management company, scored the lowest in North Carolina with a 50.
According to the report, Compass Group was penalized for failing to prohibit discrimination based on gender identify or expression, failing to require non-discrimination standards for contractors that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and lacking transgender health insurance coverage.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, based in Chapel Hill, N.C., Delhaize America Inc., based in Salisbury, N.C., Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, based in Taylorsville, N.C., Replacements, LTD., based in McLeansville, N.C. and Womble Carlyle Sandbridge & Rice, LLP., based in Winston-Salem, N.C., all scored a perfect 100.
GlaxoSmithKline LLC, based in Research Triangle Park, scored a 95, Ingersoll-Rand Company, based in Davidson, N.C., scored a 90, Hanesbrands, Inc., based in Winston-Salem, N.C., and VF Corp., based in Greensville, N.C., both scored an 85.
BB&T, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., scored an 80, losing points for not offering transgender inclusive health insurance.
Reynolds America, Inc., also based in Winston-Salem, N.C., scored an 80 and Quaintance-Weaver Inc., based in Greensboro, N.C., only managed a 60.
In South Carolina
In South Carolina, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, based in Columbia, S.C., and Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, based in Greenville, S.C., both scored an 85. Denny’s Corp., based in Spartanburg, S.C., scored a 75.
More on the HRC’s CEI
Companies are ranked based on criteria in the following categories:
1. Non-discrimination policies
2. Employment benefits
3. Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion
4. Public commitment to LGBT equality
5. Responsible citizenship
The full report is available online at hrc.org/cei.