By Godson Umejiego, Correspondent USA

Sony Electronics proudly announces its score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Sony Electronics has earned top marks each year since 2016 and has been recognized by CEI annually since 2011. The company joins the ranks of 767 major US businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“I’m extremely proud of our team for once again earning this important recognition—and top score—from the Human Rights Campaign,” said President and COO of Sony Electronics, Inc, Mike Fasulo. “We actively support a diverse work environment where employees are celebrated for their unique differences, perspectives and experiences, which, when taken together—make us stronger and more effective as an organization.”

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and
• Corporate social responsibility.

Sony promotes diversity by ensuring an inclusive work environment, and by recruiting, hiring, training and promoting employees from diverse backgrounds. After an extensive review of Sony Electronics’ policies, practices and engagement, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation determined Sony Electronics is an inclusive company that meets or exceeds the organization’s dynamic requirements.

“From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to a long overdue reckoning with racial injustice, 2020 was an unprecedented year. Yet, many businesses across the nation stepped up and continued to prioritize and champion LGBTQ equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President, Alphonso David. “This year has shown us that tools like the CEI are crucial in the work to increase equity and inclusion in the workplace, but also that companies must breathe life into these policies and practices in real and tangible ways. Thank you to the companies that understand protecting their LGBTQ employees and consumers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do—but the best business decision.”

Sony’s Equality ALLiance, an internal employee network group formed in 2010, was designed to promote equality and inclusion for LGBTQ employees through education and increased awareness. The Equality ALLiance was the first network group founded across all Sony sister companies, and currently includes about 100 employees. The group is open to all employees, and offers programming and events like participation in the annual San Diego LGBT Pride festival and parade.

The results of the 2021 CEI showcase how 1,142 US-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the US, but also for the 57 per cent of CEI-rated companies with global operations that are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Sony Electronics’ efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a perfect 100 per cent ranking and the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

The CEI rates employers providing crucial protections to over 18 million US workers and an additional 17 million employees abroad. Companies rated in the CEI include Fortune magazine’s 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine’s top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.