United Airlines Earns 4th Consecutive Perfect Score in Corporate Equality Index

National Human Rights Campaign labels airline a Best Place to Work

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Nov 19, 2014, 10:33 ET

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines earned a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) – the fourth straight year the company achieved a 100 percent rating from the well-known civil rights group. The CEI evaluates top companies based on their policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.

"At United, we remain dedicated to building a workplace where all employees are valued, accepted and treated with respect," said Mike Bonds, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations at United. "We take great pride in our working together culture and commitment to LGBT equality, and we are honored to earn this coveted designation for the fourth consecutive year."

The CEI rates companies on specific policies and practices related to LGBT equality. To earn a perfect score on the Index, and receive the Campaign's "Best Places to Work" distinction, companies must have fully inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, offer equal employment benefits, demonstrate LGBT competency within their organization, publicly exhibit their commitment to equality and exercise responsible citizenship.

"In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. "We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. United Airlines 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."

United and Diversity

United has long supported programs that promote LGBT awareness and inclusion. Last year, the airline received the Business Leadership Award from Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization. United was also honored by Work Life Matters magazine as a leader for LGBT equality.

United believes that the rich diversity of ideas, experiences and cultures that make up its workforce of more than 85,000 allows the airline to deliver great service and products to its customers around the globe. United is committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel included and empowered to make a measurable difference in its success. United offers policies, programs, benefits and recognition designed to reward and support its diverse workforce. The airline is equally committed to its multicultural community sponsorships as well as supplier diversity initiatives.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,100 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. With U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft. This year, the airline is taking delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and is welcoming 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines