Staples Earns Top Marks in 2016 Corporate Equality Index

Staples, Inc received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Staples has received the perfect score on the national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Staples has its world-wide headquarters in Framingham.

“Staples is extremely proud to earn a perfect score for the sixth year in a row, as we are strongly committed to LGBT inclusion in all areas, from talent acquisition to benefits to associate engagement and development,” said Erika Hopkins Foreman, Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Workplace Relations for Staples, in a statement. “Our organization is stronger because of the dedicated LGBT associates and allies who focus on our customers and our communities.”

The company supports a range of Associate Resource Groups, a formal community of committed associates who support Staples business results, global diversity strategy, community involvement and associate engagement. “Out At Work” is the ARG for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender associates and allies.

Most recently, “Out at Work” organized events around National Coming Out Day, the fifth annual celebration at Staples. The events worked to educate associates about LGBT related topics and issues as well as celebrate the support of allies throughout the past year.

This year the event expanded to include activities at Staples corporate locations across the United States.

“By openly supporting the LGBT community, Staples shows all of its associates that it’s OK to be who you are - whether you identify as LGBT, are a family member of an LGBT person, or a friend and ally to the community,” said Katelyn Thompson, a Senior Usability Researcher at Staples and Co-Chair of Out At Work. “Knowing the company I work for is supportive of the LGBT community means I don’t have to worry about being who I am at work.”

The 2016 CEI rated 1,027 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. Staples’ efforts in satisfying all of the Index’s criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

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.