Mar 06, 2021 09:02 AM EST By Eric Hamilton, UniversityHerald Reporter

University of Phoenix is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion throughout its employment practices. The university recently scored 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The report is the current benchmark survey surrounding corporate policies and in-houses practices relating to LGBTQ workplace inclusion. 

The exemplary score affords the university the title of Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. It is the fourth consecutive year that University of Phoenix has achieved a perfect score on this survey. The high acclaim highlights the university's ongoing dedication to inclusivity and equality in the workplace.  

The Corporate Equality Index (CEI)

The Corporate Equality Index (CEI) measures the practices that benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees in corporations. The body rates workplaces based on their commitment to these practices on an annual basis. The index is known as the gold standard when considering LGBTQ equality criteria. University of Phoenix is committed to providing equal access to opportunity, employment, and education. The latest score on the index reflects the university's core inclusion priorities. 

Surveying a wealth of different policies and benefits, the CEI delves into the practices of some of the leading corporations including Fortune 500 companies. The criteria includes having a Sexual Orientation in U.S. Nondiscrimination Policy, a Gender Identity in U.S. Nondiscrimination Policy, Transgender-Inclusive Benefits, and Domestic Partner Benefits. Additionally, the report considers whether each company has fair organizational LGBTQ competency and has made a public commitment to the LGBTQ community. For each criterion, CEI gives a company a percentage score. 

"Despite the disruption of the COVID-19 epidemic with cancellation of in-person events worldwide, CEI-rated businesses followed-through on their commitments to LGBTQ community engagement throughout the year largely by leveraging online and virtual engagement platforms," states the full 2021 report.

"The CEI's Corporate Social Responsibility criteria also ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity protections apply to those standards that businesses require their vendors or suppliers to adhere to, as well as recipients of their philanthropic funds."

Since the CEI report began, membership growth has been exceptional, highlighting that more businesses are making positive steps with regard to equality. The review states that this data shows "nearly two decades of year over year growth in the adoption of these critical policies and practices indicative of employers' commitment to equality."

A Perfect Score for University of Phoenix 

University of Phoenix achieved a perfect score for the fourth year in a row. The university has five Employee Resource Groups, allowing staff members to engage in the conversation. These groups include the Allies of Pride, which supports diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace. 

The university's inclusivity activities do not end there. It also launched The Inclusive Cafe in June 2020. The platform offers a virtual place where staff can gather, connect, and build a community with an emphasis on inclusion. The community holds biweekly sessions focusing on a variety of topics, each of which encourages the sharing of perspectives and leads to further conversation. 

"We are honored to be recognized as a best place to work for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign for a fourth straight year," said Cheryl Naumann, Chief Human Resources Officer, University of Phoenix. "Maintaining this designation is a point of pride for us and we are committed to providing a workplace where our employees feel connected, supported and can thrive in their careers."

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