For the sixth consecutive year, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for striving to achieve workplace equality for LGBTQ+ employees.
HCSC received the highest possible score on the Corporate Equality Index, making it one the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.
“It’s gratifying for us to be recognized again for our ongoing journey to deepen our culture of DEI,” said HCSC Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Manika Turnbull. “We’ll continue our work to develop leaders who are willing to drive change, foster collaboration across differences and cultivate a sense of belonging where everyone feels valued and is treated with respect.”
The annual index rates companies on important policies and practices that make it safe, comfortable and welcoming for LGBTQ+ employees to come to work and contribute as their authentic selves.
The central pillars of the recognition are nondiscrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families, support for an inclusive culture, and corporate social responsibility.
HCSC’s efforts to promote an inclusive culture includes its longstanding Pride Alliance business resource group made up of LGBTQ+ employees and allies. The group — one of nine business resource groups at HCSC — provides advocacy and awareness, hosts educational seminars, and enables networking, mentoring and community outreach opportunities.
“We need to create safe spaces at home and at work so that people can be their best selves,” Jack Walser, the Price Alliance’s Illinois state chair, said in an article about the group last year. “The bottom line is that we’re all going to work more productively if we don’t have to worry about social pressure.”