Coca-Cola receives perfect rating from Human Rights Campaign for its workplace policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender associates

Nevin Barich

Nevin Barich

ATLANTA , December 13, 2011 (press release) – The Coca-Cola Company again received a 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for our workplace policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) associates.

The nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization publishes its Corporate Equality Index (CEI) every year to measure employers' efforts to promote workplace fairness for LGBT employees. TCCC has received a perfect rating every year since 2006.

"We are pleased to have earned a 100 percent score on the CEI again this year," said Steve Bucherati, Group Director, Global Diversity and Workplace Fairness. "We appreciate our partnership and ongoing advice and counsel from HRC and the many contributions from our LGBT Business Resource Group, including insights and assistance in implementing policies and programs to support our LGBT employees."

The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year. To achieve a perfect score and the distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," companies must have fully inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship.

The 2012 CEI chronicles advances that have taken place on behalf of LGBT workers since 2002. In the first-ever CEI that year, only 13 businesses achieved a top score. This year, 190 corporations across industries, geographies and size received a 100 percent score on significantly more stringent criteria. In total, 850 businesses were rated in the 2012 CEI, including the entire Fortune 500.

Coca-Cola has partnered with HRC for advice on continuing leadership in the field of LGBT rights as we pursue our 2020 Vision goal of achieving true diversity. For example, we hosted HRC President Joe Solmonese in October to discuss best practices, insights and important trends impacting the LGBT community.

In June, 2011, to continue our support of LGBT associates and applicants, we added a voluntary field for employees to self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender on our Company intranet . All U.S.-based Corporate and Coca-Cola Northa America employees can now, at their discretion, update their personnel records with this information.

This self-identification option was developed with the Company's LGBT Business Resource Group to help our People function better understand the demographics of our U.S.-based associates and make more informed decisions on policies and practices. It builds on our 2010 decision to include sexual orientation as a demographic choice in the Employee Insights Survey.

Our Company also developed Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines for U.S.-based employees, effective June 1, 2011, to help foster dialogue and understanding of transgender issues in the workplace.

Wesley Lackey, one of the LGBT BRG leaders, commented, "We definitely feel that we are moving forward as a Company and pursuing our 2020 Vision goal of achieving true diversity. These strides illustrate that we are gaining momentum on being a great place to work and creating an environment where you can bring your whole self to work and perform at your highest potential and succeed. This is the new normal in promoting an authentic work environment. The investment the Company makes in achieving this status signifies the commitment to embracing a strong cultural diversity. Congratulations Coca-Cola for another 100 percent rating!"

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