Dykema is pleased to announce that the firm earned 95 points (out of a possible 100) in the 2013 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) conducted by the Human Rights Campaign. This rating is 25 points higher than the firm earned in last year’s CEI, and places Dykema near the top echelon of the nearly 700 U.S. companies surveyed in this year’s Index.
This year marks the 11th edition of the CEI. This annual report provides an in-depth and authoritative analysis of workplace equality in the nation’s largest companies for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. To arrive at its ratings, the Human Rights Campaign uses objective criteria such as equal employment opportunities, employment benefits, organizational competency, public engagement and responsible citizenship.
Dykema’s Diversity Counsel, Heidi Naasko, points to several initiatives that contributed to the firm’s impressive year-to-year increase in its CEI score:
• amending the firm’s Equal Employment Opportunity statement to incorporate language that addresses freedom of gender identity and expression; and,
• accounting for the income tax burden of domestic partner benefits by “grossing up” and
• employee’s salary, similar to grossing up award or bonus payments to an employee.
This action ensures that same-sex and married individuals contribute equally to health benefits.
Peter M. Kellett, Chairman and CEO of Dykema, says, “We’re honored to have received a near-perfect score in this year’s Corporate Equality Index. It validates our commitment to equality and inclusion, and reaffirms our core belief: that a culture based on dignity and respect lets us explore issues in ways a less diverse workforce might never discover.”
Sherrie Farrell, Chair of Dykema’s Diversity Committee, adds, “We continually work to ensure that all—regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion or disability—are both welcomed and valued.”
About Dykema - Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 11 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients – from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies – to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service and exceptional value in every engagement. To learn more, visit www.dykema.com
About the Human Rights Campaign and the Corporate Equality Index - The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Its annual Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees. To learn more, visit www.hrc.org
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