(December 5, 2016) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, received a perfect rating of 100 in the 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). This is the ninth consecutive year that the firm has earned this distinction.
“We are proud to once again be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for our ongoing efforts in advancing LGBTQ initiatives in the workplace,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler. “Here at Littler, we recognize, encourage and celebrate the power of diversity to make us a better and smarter firm.”
Littler’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. The CEI rated more than 1,000 businesses by evaluating LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. The firm joins the ranks of 517 major U.S. businesses, which also earned top marks this year.
“Through 15 editions of the annual Corporate Equality Index, major private sector employers have demonstrated over and over that inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it makes for a stronger, more successful business,” said Deena Fidas, Director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program. “From centuries-old companies to those that have existed for just a few years, major employers have adopted LGBT-inclusive policies and benefits at rates that continue to outpace lawmakers and lead the way forward.”
Littler continues to lead the legal profession by example as a champion for the LGBTQ community. The firm’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion is demonstrated in leadership from the top down. This year, openly gay chairwoman Lee Schreter was re-elected for another term as chairperson of Littler’s Board of Directors and the firm also has LGBTQ attorneys represented in various leadership roles throughout the firm. The Pride Affinity Group gives the firm’s LGBTQ employees and their allies a platform to support and engage in the LGBTQ community. Additionally, members of the firm are involved in leadership roles with the National LGBT Bar Association Foundation and other local organizations focusing on advancing opportunities for the LGBTQ community. Littler is also recognized as an industry thought leader on LGBTQ and transgender issues in the workplace.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
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. For more information on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,200 attorneys in over 75 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 70 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing member entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.
