Company commitment to inclusive LGBTQ workplace recognized by Human Rights Campaign

PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) received a score of 100 percent on the 2019 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. The designation marks the fifth consecutive year that BCBSRI has received a perfect score.

“The core of Blue Cross’ vision is to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island, and a key component of that is our diverse and inclusive workforce," said Visael (Bobby) Rodriguez, BCBSRI vice president and chief people officer. “Our differences, including our unique perspectives, strengthen us as an organization so that we can better serve the richly diverse communities of Rhode Island."

The award underscores BCBSRI’s continued efforts to expand and strengthen its diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts. Some of those efforts include:

• Developing a training 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 18 providers/practices enrolled to date, members of the LGBTQ community now have additional options across dental, primary care and mental healthcare to get the attention and treatment they need, in a more comfortable and welcoming setting.

“In a time when diversity and inclusion are becoming more mainstream in organizations and across media platforms, we must recognize the importance of celebrating the wins without becoming complacent," said Guillaume Bagal, BCBSRI diversity & inclusion lead. “We are particularly grateful for the contributions of BCBSRI’s Blue pRIde EBRG for continuing to make BCBSRI a more welcoming place for LGBTQ associates."

The 2019 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs 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 560 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
 

For more information on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.