Recognizing its continued leadership of and commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in the workplace, The Dow Chemical Company  for the 11th consecutive year has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for achieving a 100 percent rating on its corporate equality index (CEI) – a global benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees.

“An inclusive workplace, and for that matter a fully open and inclusive society, is one that enables its citizens and families to thrive, businesses to prosper and economies to grow,” said Howard Ungerleider, Dow’s vice chairman and chief financial officer, and executive sponsor for GLAD, Dow’s LGBT and ally employee resource group. “This recognition by the HRC is a testament to Dow’s unwavering leadership in realizing that ideal, and to our belief that inclusion is the true catalyst for success.”

CEI is the first to rate global businesses on a worldwide consistency of their non-discrimination and/or codes of conduct for personnel. This year, more than 390 businesses worldwide earned a 100 percent ranking, the highest number since the inception of the index in 2002. In 2005, Dow became the first in its industry to receive a 100 percent score on the CEI.

For more than a decade, Dow has offered best-in-class practices of LGBT inclusion in the workplace including equal benefits to same-sex partners for everything from health, dental and life insurance to bereavement leave, relocation and dual career assistance. Dow also recognizes survivor benefits for its pension plan for LGBT and provides full transgender health benefits. The company takes a leading public policy and advocacy position, speaking on Capitol Hill in support of LGBT policies and leading state and federal lobbying activities to bring fairness and equal treatment to all LGBT citizens.

Last month, Dow joined with major global companies including Google Inc., AT&T and The Coca-Cola Company, and others in an HRC-led business coalition to push for rights and protections in the workplace globally, including in countries where LGBT individuals face legal discrimination or harassment.

The company was also recently ranked by Amsterdam-based Workplace Pride Foundation as one of the world’s Top-5 most LGBT-inclusive employers.

“The progress achieved has not come without hurdles and setbacks however, and our work as a nation and a society is far from done,” added Ungerleider. “Through courage and fortitude, we must continue to relentlessly pursue a workplace and a society that welcomes and respects everyone equally, and unequivocally.”