Global law firm Baker McKenzie has received a top score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the foremost benchmarking survey and report in the US measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Baker McKenzie joins the ranks of 545 major US businesses that also earned top scores this year. This marks the 13th consecutive year the Firm has earned this recognition.
The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities; equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families; supporting an inclusive culture; and, corporate social responsibility.
The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how US-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the US and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384 participants, with a record-breaking 1,340 businesses adopting non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical protections cover 21 million employees in the US and around the globe. Baker McKenzie's efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
"Thank you to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for this important recognition," said Marredia Crawford, Baker McKenzie's Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer. "We are immensely proud of our continued efforts aimed at creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies. We are honored to stand with the league of US businesses leading the charge and moving the needle towards a culture of full inclusion."
“Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical violence," said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign Sr. Director of Workplace Equality. "While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion.”
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.
The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities; equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families; supporting an inclusive culture; and, corporate social responsibility.
The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how US-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the US and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384 participants, with a record-breaking 1,340 businesses adopting non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical protections cover 21 million employees in the US and around the globe. Baker McKenzie's efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
"Thank you to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for this important recognition," said Marredia Crawford, Baker McKenzie's Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer. "We are immensely proud of our continued efforts aimed at creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies. We are honored to stand with the league of US businesses leading the charge and moving the needle towards a culture of full inclusion."
“Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical violence," said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign Sr. Director of Workplace Equality. "While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion.”
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.
Explore Our Newsroom