Clorox Earns Third Consecutive Top Rating on Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) has, for a third year, earned the top rating of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. The index, which was published in early September, is a nationally recognized measure of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) equality in the workplace.

Speaking at the September 2008 Out & Equal™ Workplace Summit, Donald R. Knauss, chairman and chief executive officer of Clorox, said, "As CEO, my job is to focus the organization on what really matters and to remove the obstacles to creating a workplace where all employees are fully engaged and equal. This equality is reflected in our policies and practices as evidenced by Clorox’s score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.”

A key part of Clorox’s diversity and inclusion strategy are the company’s five employee resource groups (ERGs), including, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and advocates to help people connect with one another and collectively with Clorox. The other groups are African-American, Asian/Pacific, Hispanic and women. ERGs not only help build professional relationships, but also promote and retain exceptional employees, provide insights on multicultural marketing and supplier diversity initiatives, and support Clorox’s community outreach programs. Open to all employees, each ERG ensures every employee has access to support, inspiration, and personal and professional development.

Clorox offers benefits to employees with same-sex partners and includes sexual orientation and gender identification in its nondiscrimination policy. The company also supports key GLBT organizations and events such as the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Student Conference.

The 2009 Corporate Equality Index

The 2009 Corporate Equality Index rated companies on a scale of 0 percent to 100 percent on several factors, including whether they have a written nondiscrimination policy covering sexual orientation; support transgender employees with written nondiscrimination policies and benefits; offer inclusive health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies to employees with same-sex partners; offer diversity training; have GLBT employee groups; engage in appropriate and respectful advertising to the GLBT community; contribute to GLBT community organizations; and decline to engage in any activities that would undermine the goal of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A copy of the report and all ratings can be found at www.hrc.org/cei.

The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2008 revenues of $5.3 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works™ natural cleaners, Armor All^® and STP^® auto-care products, Fresh Step^® and Scoop Away^® cat litter, Kingsford^® charcoal, Hidden Valley^® and K C Masterpiece^® dressings and sauces, Brita^® water-filtration systems, Glad^® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt’s Bees^® natural personal care products. With 8,300 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in more than two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $73.4 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal 2008 alone, the foundation awarded $3.7 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $5.3 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.