McDermott Named Among the Best Places to Work for LGBT Employees For Third Consecutive Year
NEW YORK (September 2, 2008) — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released its seventh annual list of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Employees," naming McDermott Will & Emery among the 259 companies that achieved this honor. This recognition is given to companies who earn a 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, which measures policies and practices implemented to promote fairness and equality in the workplace for LGBT employees.
"I am delighted McDermott's LGBT Diversity Initiative has been recognized for the third consecutive year by the Human Rights Campaign. The Corporate Equality Index is a significant, objective measure of American businesses' commitment to LGBT employees. A 100 percent rating is an achievement we are proud of, and an acknowledgment that McDermott is among the Best Places to Work for LGBT individuals," commented Lisa A. Linsky, partner and chair of McDermott's Firm-wide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Diversity Committee.
In early 2006, McDermott formalized its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Diversity Committee. The LGBT Diversity Committee's goal is to develop Firm-wide policies, programs and initiatives to maintain a supportive environment for all of our employees regardless of transgender or sexual orientation, gender identity or lifestyle choice.
"The 2009 Corporate Equality Index shows that corporate America understands that a diverse workforce is critical to remaining successful and competitive," said HRC Foundation President Joe Solmonese. "In the absence of a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, it is up to employers to take the lead and implement policies that ensure all their employees are protected."
The 2009 HRC Corporate Equality Index rated companies on a scale of 0 to 100 percent on several factors, including whether they have a written non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation; support transgender employees with written non-discrimination policies and benefits; offer inclusive health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies to employees with same-sex partners; offer diversity training; have LGBT employee groups; engage in appropriate and respectful advertising to the LGBT community; contribute to LGBT community organizations; and decline to engage in any activities that would undermine the goal of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A copy of the report and all ratings can be found at http://www.hrc.org/cei/.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. For more information visit: http://www.hrc.org/.
McDermott Will & Emery's commitment to diversity arises from this clear, simple and indisputable principle: diversity is necessary for us to achieve excellence in all aspects of providing services to our clients. The Firm has three diversity committees: the Racial & Ethnic Diversity Committee, the Gender Diversity Committee and the LGBT Diversity Committee, all of whose chairs report directly to the Firm’s management on recommendations for diversity-related policies, procedures and initiatives that they believe need to be pursued. These initiatives can range from hiring, retention and promotion to ensuring that diversity remains a key component in all major Firm-wide strategic decisions.
