Hallmark Earns Top Marks in 2016 Corporate Equality Index
Hallmark earns 100 percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Fourteenth Annual Scorecard on LGBT Workplace Equality
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hallmark Cards, Inc. is among 407 major U.S. businesses to achieve a perfect 100 percent score on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality.
The CEI is an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. The 2016 CEI rated 1,027 businesses in the report, evaluating the businesses on 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.
Organizations receiving a score of 100 are recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work" for LGBT equality.
"Hallmark is honored to have earned a top rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index," said Bob Bloss, Hallmark senior vice president – human resources. "This recognition by the HRC reflects our continued commitment to create an environment in which diversity is embraced and diverse traits are leveraged as strengths, where every employee can perform to his or her potential, and in which his or her contributions are respected and appreciated."
"In this 2016 Corporate Equality Index, hundreds of major businesses responded to our new standards for workplace equality with exceptional leadership," said Deena Fidas, HRC Foundation Workplace Equality Program Director. "Hallmark not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."
For more information on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what's in their hearts and connect in emotional ways with others. In the U.S., innovative Hallmark greeting cards and gifts are sold through leading mass retailers, the network of Hallmark Gold Crown® specialty stores and online. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. Millions of households enjoy family friendly television programming offered by cable's top-rated Hallmark Channel and fast-growing Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Hallmark's Crayola subsidiary inspires artistic creativity in children through Crayola® crayons and markers as well as other innovative art tools, crafting activities and creative toys. Privately held Hallmark is based in Kansas City, Mo., and continues to be led by members of the founding Hall family. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details. Connect at Hallmark.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
SOURCE Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Share this article