ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS)
today earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2009 Corporate Equality
Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign
Foundation. This survey represents the sixth consecutive year that
ChoicePoint has achieved a perfect score -- a record unmatched by any other
Georgia company.
The Corporate Equality Index rates employers on a scale from 0 to 100
percent on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT)
employees, consumers and investors.
Ten other companies based in Georgia joined ChoicePoint in gaining the
recognition, including Alston & Bird LLP, The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola
Enterprises Inc., Cox Enterprises Inc., ING North America Insurance Corp.,
Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Powell Goldstein LLP, SunTrust Banks, Troutman Sanders
LLP and United Parcel Service Inc.
'At ChoicePoint, what makes us different makes us strong. This belief is
a reflection of the company culture and personality,' said Derek V. Smith,
ChoicePoint chairman and CEO. 'We offer our associates the opportunity to
grow and thrive through multiple affinity groups, outreach activities and
other benefits, and we know that diversity makes for a richer and more
productive work environment here at ChoicePoint. We thank the Human Rights
Campaign again for this important recognition through the Corporate Equality
Index.'
The CEI rated 583 businesses in total, evaluating GLBT-related policies
and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health
benefits and domestic partner benefits. ChoicePoint's efforts in ensuring
GLBT equality in each of the survey's main criterion earned it the prestigious
100 percent ranking.
The 2009 edition of the CEI reports 259 businesses achieved a perfect
score, a one-third increase over last year when the number was 195. The
top-rated businesses collectively employ more than 9 million full-time
employees. These workers are protected from employment discrimination based on
sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because of their
employers' policies on diversity training, health care, and domestic
partnership benefits.
'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 Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization
working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination
against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness
and equality for all. For more information on the 2009 Corporate Equality
Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei .
About ChoicePoint
ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS) provides businesses, government agencies and
non-profit organizations with technology, software, information and marketing
services to help manage economic risks and identify business opportunities.
Consumers have free access to the reports we create at www.ChoiceTrust.com .
Learn what we do to protect consumer privacy by visiting
www.PrivacyatChoicePoint.com and, for more information on our company, go to
www.ChoicePoint.com .
SOURCE ChoicePoint
