Nestlé proudly announced that three of its U.S. business units—Nestlé USA, Nestlé Health Science and Nestlé Purina PetCare—received scores of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. For the fourth year in a row, Nestlé joins the ranks of over 840 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
“We’re proud to be recognized with a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index for the fourth year in a row, a reflection of our commitment to ensuring Nestlé is a place where LGTBQ+ employees can bring their whole self to work,” said Judy Cascapera, Chief People Officer of Nestlé USA. “We also recognize that a perfect score doesn’t mean we are done; we’ll continue assessing and evolving our policies in partnership with employees to ensure everyone feels empowered and supported as they grow their careers.”
The results of the 2022 CEI showcase how 1,271 U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and how the 56% of CEI-rated companies with global operations are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Nestlé’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.
“When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers—from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns—could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere. Congratulations to Nestlé for achieving the title of ‘best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality’ and working to advance inclusion in the workplace.”
People are at the heart of Nestlé’s business—no matter what they look like, who they love or where they come from. Nestlé continues to build an inclusive culture for LGBTQ employees through progressive workplace policies, including equal marriage benefits, equal parental leave for biological and adoptive parents, and financial support for gender transition medical costs. The Nestlé Pride Alliance and other Employee Resources Groups are helping the company to drive and maintain an inclusive culture. Nestlé continues to leverage its voice and scale to advocate for inclusive federal policies, including as a signatory of HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, and has strongly opposed anti-LGBTQ legislation at the state level.
The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
- Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
- Corporate social responsibility.
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.