Company commitment to inclusive LGBTQ workplace recognized by Human Rights Campaign

PROVIDENCE, RI (January 21, 2020) – For the sixth consecutive year, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) received a score of 100 percent on the 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“As the only Rhode Island company to have received a perfect score for the past six years consecutively, Blue Cross prides ourselves on our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, which strengthens us as a business, enabling us to better serve Rhode Islanders in communities from Woonsocket to Westerly,” said Visael (Bobby) Rodriguez, BCBSRI vice president and chief people officer.

The award underscores BCBSRI’s continued efforts to expand and strengthen its diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives, which include:

• Developing an interactive learning program for all employees on how D&I contributes to exceptional performance.
• Establishing a Diversity Council, which has taken an active role in advocating for D&I through a variety of channels, among them Blue pRIde, an LGBTQ-focused employee business resource group (EBRG).
• Launching an LGBTQ Safe Zone Certification Program for Rhode Island providers. The program certifies healthcare practices that provide safe, affirming, and inclusive care to the LGBTQ community. With 29 providers/practices enrolled to date, members of the LGBTQ community are now offered additional options across dental, primary care and behavioral healthcare for the attention and treatment they need, in more comfortable and welcoming settings.

“The CEI recognition goes beyond validating our D&I work,” said Guillaume Bagal, BCBSRI diversity & inclusion lead. “CEI shines a light on efforts we hope all companies will pursue, reminding them that there are numerous ways to achieve equity, inclusion, and diversity in their own workforces. It’s a true honor to be included in this circle of employers.”

The 2020 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, employment benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. BCBSRI’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. BCBSRI joins the ranks of more than 680 major U.S. businesses earning top marks this year.

For more information on the 2020 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.