PLEASANTON, Calif. — For the second year in a row, Safeway has received a perfect score of 100% on the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
"We pride ourselves on embracing and celebrating the rich diversity of our employees, customers and suppliers," said Larree Renda, EVP. "It is part of our culture to make every individual feel equally valued and respected. These core principles are the fabric of who we are and make us one of the best places to work."
Some of the programs and initiatives that account for Safeway's high score include:
An inclusive benefits package;
An employee resource group, GALA, Safeway LGBT and Allies, which was created in 2006;
A supplier diversity program that supports the inclusion of LGBT vendors and suppliers; and
Financial sponsorship and participation in annual LGBT-related events and causes across the regions where the company operates.
The 2015 CEI rated nearly 1,000 businesses in the report, which evaluates 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. Safeway's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100% ranking and the designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.”