Date posted: 09/02/2008*

For the fourth consecutive year, Raytheon has achieved a score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The HRC, the nation’s largest GLBT rights organization, uses the CEI as a means to rate U.S. companies on how they treat their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees, consumers and investors.

In 2005, Raytheon was the first defense and aerospace company to score 100 percent on the CEI.

"Receiving a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index for the fourth time is further proof of Raytheon’s continued dedication to diversity and highlights the achievements the company has made in creating an inclusive and open environment for all its employees,” said Hayward Bell, Raytheon's chief diversity officer. “Our 72,000 employees are our distinguishing assets, and it is imperative that we provide an environment where they feel respected and valued as part of the Raytheon team."

The Corporate Equality Index, which was first reported by the HRC in 2002, rates companies on a scale of zero to 100 percent, based on a number of criteria, including whether they:

  • include “sexual orientation” in their nondiscrimination policy;
  • include “gender identity and/or expression” in their non-discrimination policy;
  • offer same-sex domestic-partner health insurance;
  • officially recognize and support a GLBT employee resource group or have a firm-wide diversity council that includes GLBT issues;
  • engage in respectful and appropriate marketing to the GLBT community and/or provide support of GLBT community.

“The 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.”

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