Tag Archives: Chad Griffin

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Office Depot recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

BOCA RATON, Fla, 2016-Dec-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services and solutions and parent company of Office Depot and OfficeMax, today (December 12, 2016) announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). Office Depot joins the ranks of 517 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.

“We are proud to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for the sixth year in a row,” said Michael Allison, EVP and Chief People Officer for Office Depot. “Office Depot is committed to providing equal opportunities, rights and benefits to all of our associates. We continue to recruit a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve, recognizing that our organization only flourishes when we hire, promote and create paths to leadership for people of every background.”

The 2017 CEI rated 1,043 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. Office Depot’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.

“Even in the face of relentless attempts to undermine equality, America’s leading companies and law firms remain steadfast and committed to supporting and defending the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The unprecedented expansion of inclusive workplaces across the country and around the globe not only reflects our progress, it helps drive it. As we enter a new chapter in our fight for equality, support from the business community will be more critical than ever to protect our historic advancements over the last decade and to continue to push equality forward for workers, customers and families around the world.”

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 Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $14 billion, employs approximately 49,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.

Contact:
Rebecca Rakitin
561-438-1450
Rebecca.Rakitin@officedepot.com

Source: Office Depot, Inc.

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Darden Restaurants scored 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI)

Orlando, Fla., 2014-11-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — For the third consecutive year, Darden Restaurants scored 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), one of 366 companies to do so. The HRC’s annual index is a renowned national benchmarking tool for U.S. businesses in the increasingly important issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusion and equality in the workplace.

“Diversity and inclusion are business imperatives at Darden, and our commitment extends to and embraces the LGBT community,” said Daisy Ng, Chief Human Resources Officer for Darden. “Fostering a diverse workforce further enables us to retain the best, most talented team members in the industry and deliver on our core purpose – ‘to nourish and delight everyone we serve’.”

A total of 971 businesses – including the entire Fortune 500 – were rated on a number of factors grouped within four main criteria: equal employment opportunity policy; employment benefits; organizational LGBT competency; and public commitment to LGBT-specific efforts. Businesses rated 100% are recognized as “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”

“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,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “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. Darden 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.”

Since its founding in 1938, Darden has welcomed and celebrated the diversity of its guests, employees, suppliers and the communities it serves. To maximize the potential of employees, Darden has implemented a number of programs focused around the diversity of its workforce, suppliers and local communities, including a curriculum-based Diversity Learning Experience (DLE) for leaders at all levels of the company. More than 17,000 leaders have participated in DLE training since it was implemented nearly 10 years ago.

About the Human Rights Campaign
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. Launched in 2002, the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index has become the gold standard for corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees and their families. View the full report at www.hrc.org/cei.

About Darden Restaurants
Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), owns and operates more than 1,500 restaurants that generate approximately $6.3 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing 150,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2014, Darden was named to the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the fourth year in a row. Our restaurant brands – Olive Garden®, LongHorn Steakhouse®, Bahama Breeze®, Seasons 52®, The Capital Grille®, Eddie V’s® and Yard House® – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

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IKEA US received score of 90 on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Recognition Honors Diverse IKEA US Co-worker Population

Conshohocken, PA, 2014-11-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — IKEA US is pleased to announce today it has received a score of 90 on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This national benchmark survey reports on corporate policies and practices relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality.

The CEI IKEA ranking clearly demonstrates and measures the success of the IKEA Group’s values based on the principle that every co-worker can expect fair treatment and equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Here are some highlights of IKEA programs which benefit the LGBT community:

  • Starting in 1995, IKEA extends benefits coverage to spouses and domestic partners. These benefits include: health/medical, dental, vision, dependent coverage, COBRA, FMLA, bereavement, relocation/travel assistance, adoption benefits, employee discount, employee-assistance/work-life program
  • In 2010, IKEA further extends benefits to domestic partners for supplemental life insurance.
  • IKEA provides pre-tax benefits for same sex married couples. IKEA recognizes a license or certificate of marriage from any state or country which recognizes same sex marriages, no matter where they may live in the US.
  • IKEA iWay (Supplier Code of Conduct) states suppliers shall not discriminate with regard to workers based on race, religion, gender, marital or maternal status, age, political affiliation, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other basis.
  • IKEA has been active in media with LGBT ad messaging since 1993 when it ran a TV ad featuring a gay couple. In 2006, a TV ad featured a multi-cultural, two-dad family. In 2008, the “IKEA Muse” tells a lady to go out and meet the partner of her choice (male or female). And in 2014, the IKEA Home Tour broadcast showed a revamp of the space of a gay couple in the Bronx.

“IKEA is a company where diversity and inclusion are part of our everyday business. Every co-worker is valued and respected; and we meet our customers, develop our co-workers, and cooperate with our business partners with these values. We are very pleased we received the Corporate Equality Index score of 90. This shows our commitment to integrating diversity and inclusion into all of our business practices,” commented Jacqueline DeChamps, Head of IKEA US Human Resources.

“The Corporate Equality Index is the gold standard of LGBT inclusion in the workplace, and when companies take part it shows they are making a real commitment to treating their LGBT employees with equality and respect. No one should have to worry about being treated fairly on the job, especially on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and the CEI shows that, year after year, more and more companies are creating truly welcoming workplaces for all,” commented HRC President Chad Griffin. The 2015 CEI rated a total of 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. For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, go to www.hrc.org/cei.

Contact: Mona A Liss, IKEA Corporate Public Relations Director
mona.liss@ikea.com; 610.834.0180, ext. 5852

About IKEA Group
The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. There are currently 315 IKEA Group stores in 27 countries. Additionally, there are 40 IKEA stores run by franchises. There are 40 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 14, IKEA Group had 716 million visitors to the stores and 1.5 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, please visit www.IKEA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, www.youtube.com/IKEAUSA, www.theshare-space.com, www.theshare-space.com/en/Blog

About Human Rights Campaign
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.