Grant Thornton receives top marks in 2020 Corporate Equality Index

Grant Thornton earns 100 percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual scorecard assessing LGBTQ workplace equality

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the fourth straight year, Grant Thornton LLP received a score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Grant Thornton joins the ranks of more than 680 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“It’s an honor to once again earn a perfect Corporate Equality Index rating,” said Rashada Whitehead, Grant Thornton’s head of culture, diversity and inclusion. “At Grant Thornton, we’ve seen firsthand the power of bringing one’s whole self to work. Our people thrive personally and professionally because all perspectives are valued and heard. In turn, our inclusive culture enables us to craft creative solutions for ourselves and the clients we serve.”

The results of this year’s CEI showcase how more than 1,000 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Grant Thornton’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:

• Non-discrimination policies
• Employment benefits
• Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion
• Public commitment to LGBTQ equality
• Responsible citizenship

“The impact of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index over its 18-year history is profound. In this time, the corporate community has worked with us to adopt LGBTQ-inclusive policies, practices and benefits, establishing the Corporate Equality Index as a driving force for LGBTQ workplace inclusion in America and globally,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do – it’s also the best business decision.”

For more information on the 2020 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

About Grant Thornton LLP

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues in excess of $1.9 billion and operates more than 50 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.

“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.