Florida Blue Earns Fifth-Straight Perfect Score on Corporate Equality Index

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue announced today the company earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Florida Blue has received the prestigious 100 percent ranking.

The index evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community.

"Florida Blue has a deep commitment to workplace equality because respect is one of our core values at the company," said Pat Geraghty, chairman and CEO of Florida Blue. "The diverse experiences, skills and backgrounds of our employees help to create an inclusive culture at Florida Blue that makes the organization a great place to work."

Florida Blue's comprehensive benefits for same-sex partners, accommodations for transgender employees, equal-opportunity recruiting/hiring practices, and company policies regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression helped the company earn the perfect CEI score. In addition, Florida Blue was commended for its enterprise-wide commitment to diversity and cultural competence through employee resource groups, training and resources, as well as through its public commitment to LGBT equality.

The CEI is an annual survey administered by the nation's largest LGBT advocacy group. For the past decade, the Washington-based organization has published an annual Index that evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits. The CEI report provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and is the premiere national benchmark for LGBT workplace inclusion. 

The 2014 CEI rated 934 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community. For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About the Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, it strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Florida's health care industry. Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health. Florida Blue has approximately 4 million health care members and serves 15.5 million people in 16 states through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a not-for- profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.FloridaBlue.com.

SOURCE Florida Blue