ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data, the global leader in payments technology and solutions, announced today that it received a perfect score on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is a national benchmarking survey on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
“We are proud to be designated as a best place to work for LGBT equality by achieving a perfect score on the 2015 CEI, a significant increase from our score last year. Even more so, we are thrilled to have made so much progress to ensure our LGBT community is supported not only in words but by our actions,” said Cindy Armine-Klein, Chief Control Officer at First Data. “At First Data, we believe everyone should embrace bringing ‘their whole selves’ to work. We know that our success lies in building a richly diverse and inclusive workforce.”
"In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job. We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “First Data not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."
First Data’s actions resulting in its increased score included extending benefits coverage to domestic partners’ children, adding supplemental life insurance for domestic partners and providing unique medical coverage for transgendered individuals. The company also introduced support for GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), an organization focused on assuring that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
First Data, which has created an LGBT affinity group to champion these issues, also enhanced its anti-discrimination language to expand beyond standard references to sexual orientation, including gender identity as well. Other actions provide the opportunity for employees to self-identify as LGBT, supported by an internal website offering members of the community additional internal and external resources.
Many of First Data’s initiatives in this area were evident in June, during which the company supported Heartland Pride in Omaha, Nebraska, where First Data is the largest private employer. In addition, the company showed its support for LGBT History Month in October through a series of initiatives, including a panel discussion on diversity with First Data executives and a communications campaign in all company facilities.
The 2015 CEI rated 972 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. First Data’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.
For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About First Data
First Data is a global technology leader in the financial services industry. With 24,000 employee-owners and operations in 35 countries, the company provides secure and innovative payment technology and services to more than six million merchants and financial institutions around the world, from small businesses to the world’s largest corporations. Today, businesses in nearly 70 countries trust First Data to secure and process more than 2,000 financial transactions per second, totaling $1.8 trillion a year. First Data’s unparalleled infrastructure and partnerships go “beyond the transaction” with next-generation point-of-sale technology fueled by powerful analytics to detect fraud, gain insights into consumer spending, and strengthen customer loyalty. All day, every day, First Data helps its clients thrive in the evolving world of commerce.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
