ARLINGTON, VA. — Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. was named one of 767 “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for 2021.

The index is a benchmarking tool used to measure corporate policies, practices and initiatives supporting the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees. Only companies with a top index score of 100 are named among the “Best Places to Work” by HRC Foundation.

The scoring criteria is based on four areas: workforce protections, inclusive benefits, supporting a culture of inclusivity and social responsibility, and responsible citizenship. In 2021, Purina PetCare scored 100 for the second year in a row.

The pet food and treat manufacturer achieved this score because the company includes sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in its antidiscrimination practices, provides equitable benefits for LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ employees including transgender individuals, and provides learning opportunities and training for LGBTQ inclusion.

"The HRC is an important organization working for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and I'm glad to work for an organization that understands the importance of creating an inclusive workplace for all,” commented Dawn Higgins, manager of diversity and inclusion at Nestlé Purina.

According to Purina, “there is still work to be done” in this area.

“As we recognize the progress that has been made, two key questions for business leaders are: what will you do to define or better define the values of your businesses, and what will you do to advance the lived experiences of justice and equity for workers of marginalized identities in the coming year and beyond?” asked Alphonso David, president of HRC Foundation in its 2021 CEI report.

Read the full CEI 2021 report here.

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