U.S. Bank for the 12th time in a row earns100 percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Annual Scorecard onLGBTQ Workplace Equality.
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 4, 2019– U.S. Bank received a perfect score of 100 on the 2019 Corporate EqualityIndex (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report oncorporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality,administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. U.S. Bankwas named alongside over 560 major U.S. businesses that also earned topmarks this year.
“The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishingpolicies that affirm and include employees here in the United States,they are applying these policies to their global operations andimpacting millions of people beyond our shores,” said HRC President ChadGriffin. “Many of these companies have also become vocal advocates forequality in the public square, including the dozens that have signed onto amicus briefs in vital Supreme Court cases and the more than 170 thathave joined HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. Time andagain, leading American businesses have shown that protecting theiremployees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thingto do — it’s also good for business.”
“Drawing strength from diversity is a core value at U.S. Bank,” said Ismat Aziz, chief Human Resources officer at U.S. Bank. “We’re proud toonce again earn a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign oncreating a workplace that welcomes LGBTQ employees and enables theirdiverse voices and perspectives to be heard.”
Employees of U.S. Bank shared what the HRC accolade means to them.
“The year that I came out as transgender was filled with the excitement,and initial anxiety, of new experiences. For the first time, I broughtmy authentic self into the workplace and looked to my colleagues insearch of kindness and compassion. Thankfully, I have found both ofthose things in abundance. But would it last?
“I believe there is a fear that is shared by those that choose to comeout in the workplace, that the positive receptions we may initiallyreceive may not be genuine. A fear that the reactions people have duringthis time are merely people behaving as they believe themselves ‘expected’ to behave. For many, these fears later become actualized. Iwon’t go into detail, but I hope that you can believe me when I say thatI’ve heard horror stories from people about just how severelytransgender people can be discriminated against at work. While Iunderstand that this is a sad reality, I hope that this might providesome context into just how special it is for U.S. Bank to receive thisaward for twelve years in a row.
“I have been very outspoken about my transition experience with U.S.Bank. I can honestly say that I feel my differences are truly celebratedhere. Sure, the magic of coming out might have faded a bit, but the lovethat I have found here is just as strong as it was in the beginning.” – Maliyah Arnold, economic sanctions adjudication analyst and SpectrumBusiness Resource Group chapter treasurer, Chicago
“To me getting to our 12th year of being on the HRC CorporateEquality Index truly shows the core of what people at U.S. Bank believe.Despite our time on the CEI, we aren’t a company that brags about it. Wedon’t ask for our culture to be broadcasted and have attention broughtto it, because it’s just what we do. It’s how the company wants to treatits employees – our employees are at the core of all we do. From ouraward-winning and dynamic Business Resource Group presence across theglobe, to our annual all-employee event to our annual employee survey, U.S. Bank keeps its employees and our happiness at the core of what ourcompany does.” – Matt Hudson, Operations Manager and Spectrum BusinessResource Group chapter president, Twin Cities
“It’s amazing to know that once again, the Human Rights Campaign isrecognizing us with a perfect 100 score, but to be quite frank, it doesnot surprise me one bit. Every single day, we walk into our offices hereat U.S. Bank and do so with integrity and pride, knowing that we workfor an organization that encourages all of us to be our authenticselves. We don’t just talk the talk, but we walk the walk also whilehonoring diversity; when you are a part of an organization wherecelebrating one another’s differences is an everyday action, receivingsuch an honor is no surprise!” – Masoud Torabi, branch manager and Spectrum Business Resource Group chapter president, Seattle
More about the CEI
The 2019 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-relatedpolicies and practices including non-discrimination workplaceprotections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQcommunity. U.S. Bank’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteriaresults in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place toWork for LGBTQ Equality. For more information on the 2019 CorporateEquality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit hrc.org/cei.
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, with 74,000 employees and $467billion in assets as of December 31, 2018, is the parent company of U.S.Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States.The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches andATM network with mobile and online tools that allow customers to bankhow, when and where they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving itsmillions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial andcorporate, and investment services customers across the country andaround the world as a trusted financial partner, a commitment recognizedby the Ethisphere Institute naming the bank a 2018 World’s Most EthicalCompany. Visit U.S. Bank at www.usbank.com orfollow on social media to stay up to date with company news.
