Today at the Virginia Fairness Reception in McLean, VA, Equality Virginia will recognize three Northern Virginia-based Fortune 500 companies – Hilton Worldwide, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Volkswagen Group of America – for their commitment to making Virginia’s business climate conducive to economic success by encouraging and supporting diversity in the workplace.
“We have awarded these companies with Virginia Fairness accreditation because they have policies in place that clearly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees and protect them from discrimination in the workplace,” said James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia.
Today’s reception will be hosted by Capital One at its headquarters in McLean, VA. Capital One has been recognized on multiple occasions for its leadership in diversity and inclusion, and has been named among the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign, and is a Virginia Fairness accredited corporation.
In addition to Capital One, in January 2015, Altria, CarMax, Dominion Resources, and Genworth were also accredited with this distinction. Governor McAuliffe was in attendance at that event, and has long supported workplace fairness having signed Executive Order One, which prohibits LGBTQ discrimination in the state work force.
Research shows many positive links between LGBT-supportive policies or workplace climates and outcomes that will benefit employers. For example, such policies are linked to greater job commitment, improved workplace relationships, increased job satisfaction, and improved health outcomes among LGBTQ employees.
Creating an atmosphere where LGBTQ employees feel valued is a priority of many businesses today. The companies being recognized by Equality Virginia go above and beyond by creating non-discrimination policies that protect all of their employees, while at the same time fostering inclusive workplace environments.
