To encourage diversity in the workforce, it’s critical that companies provide a welcoming and engaging environment for all existing and potential employees.
Blue Shield gives employees the opportunity to promote diversity at all levels through its sponsorship of several employee resource groups. Employee resource groups are voluntary, employee-led groups made up of individuals with common interests, backgrounds or demographic factors. Beyond diversity, these groups foster inclusion and provide leadership and developmental opportunities.
This week, Blue Shield was included in Human Rights Campaign (HRC) list of 2017 Best Place to Work for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. The company earned a 100 percent on 2017 Corporate Equality Index survey, a national benchmarking tool that evaluates the pertinence of corporate policies and practices to LGBT employees.
Blue Shield was recognized for the company’s leadership, engagement and sponsorship of Shield Pride, the LGBT employee resource group. Shield Pride represents the company in the annual Southern California, Sacramento and San Francisco Pride Parades, and participates in a variety of local Chambers of Commerce and LGBT-related volunteer activities.
This is the first year that Blue Shield participated in the survey, which assesses companies’ employment policies, benefit programs, public engagement efforts and workplace support. The HRC is one of the most highly regarded LGBT civil rights organizations in the United States, so receiving a 100 percent rating on the Corporate Equality Index and named a best place to work are tremendous honors.
Shield Pride, along with all of our employee resource groups – Women Lead to Excellence, Black Employee Network and ¡Unidos! – strengthens diversity and inclusion as a core value at Blue Shield and supports our goal of becoming a great place to work.
Bernard Guinyard is senior manager of diversity and inclusion at Blue Shield of California