The Human Rights Campaign Foundation publishes each year a report on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Companies are evaluated with regard to the implementation of work-friendly guidelines and benefits for LGBTQ people. For example, its latest report, released on Friday, cited several big names in the video game industry for their perfect score.
Indeed on 1142 selected companies, 767 of them received a score of 100. It should be noted that the sample taken this year is the largest that the Foundation has ever carried out in twenty years. As a result, there are several players on the list:
- Activision Blizzard
- Amazon
- Apple
- Electronic Arts
- Microsoft
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
The IEC specifically rates companies based on four categories: non-discrimination policies in all areas of business, fair benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families, support for a culture of inclusion, and corporate social responsibility. On this basis, it is possible that some of this year’s winners will no longer be in the ranking next year.
This is likely what will happen to Activision Blizzard. Earlier this week, Media Outlet Vice reported on the group’s objection to a shareholder proposal to make interviewing different candidates mandatory for each job posting, saying it would play a role “An unattainable encroachment on the company’s ability to run its business and compete for talent in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace.”
In any case, it is to be welcomed if several giants in the sector make an effort to take anti-discrimination measures and measures. There is still much to be done, however. As mentioned Alphonso David, President of the Foundation, several questions arise.
Given the progress that has been made, two important questions for leaders are: what will you do to define, or better define, the values of your company and what will you do to advance the lived experience of equity and fairness for workers? with marginalized identities in the coming year and beyond?
