Before the recent landmark decision made by the Supreme Court, many of Arizona’s top companies were already spearheading initiatives to create an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees. From employee resource groups to internal training, Arizona companies are creating an equal opportunity and safe environment for their LGBTQ+ workforce.

As leaders in their industries, these companies take diversity and inclusion to heart by creating a welcoming environment for all of their diverse employees. Whether virtually or in-person, companies are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community throughout pride month in a variety of ways.


READ ALSO: The 50 biggest companies in Arizona


BestCompaniesAZ is proud to acknowledge and recognize a few of the best LGBTQ+ inclusive companies. Each of these companies has invoked initiatives to create a safe and inclusive environment for their LGBTQ+ employees. Take a look!

ADP

American Express

Charles Schwab

Farmers Insurance

GoDaddy

Northern Trust

Norton Lifelock

PayPal

Robinhood

Spear Education

Stryker

The Hartford

USAA

Vanguard

Walgreens

The Best LGBTQ+ Inclusive Companies

The companies featured on BestCompaniesAZ LGBTQ+ inclusive companies list are first-rate! Each company featured has programs and initiatives dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ employees feel more included and accepted in the workplace.

Additionally, some of the following companies received a perfect score of 100 on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Factors taken into consideration when rating participating companies include benefits, workplace safety initiatives, outreach, and more.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance®, one of the nation’s largest insurance organizations, strives to foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates differences of thought, experiences, and identity. Farmers® has instituted a number of initiatives to help employees feel valued, empowered, and respected.

For example, Farmers created Employee Resource Groups to help support employees in bringing their authentic selves to work and feel a sense of belonging. At Farmers, there are ten active employee resource groups across the country that are employee-led. Each ERG helps Farmers address the unique needs and perspectives of their diverse employee base. In addition, their Farmers Pride employee resource group has several local chapters across the country that lead the organization’s engagement in the LGBTQIA+ community. As part of their dedication to supporting their LGBTQIA+ workforce, the organization also offers transgender-inclusive benefits and inclusive internal training.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy constantly strives for a team as diverse as their customers. They believe diverse teams build better products and make for a better place for us all to work. As a company that empowers everyday entrepreneurs, they knows that different voices around the table fuel innovation for their customers. This is why GoDaddy is proud they received a 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

“GoDaddy is thrilled to be designated a best place to work for LGBTQ+ equality for another year,” said GoDaddy Chief People Officer Monica Bailey. “As a company, we take pride in cultivating a work environment fueled by respect and acceptance. From recruiting to the promotion process, we actively work to educate and create policies and programs that will attract a diverse pool of candidates and promote a culture that embraces our differences. Receiving 100 percent underscores our commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion.”

Liberty Mutual

The leaders at Liberty Mutual recognize that diversity is crucial in creating an atmosphere of trust and respect. Liberty Mutual shows its investment in diversity with a multiyear plan to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Liberty Mutual’s multiyear plan includes several diversity programs and initiatives that align with the company’s DEI goals. For example, the company aims to increase the representation of women and people of color at all levels by 2025. To achieve this, Liberty Mutual has started Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to better support employees. Liberty Mutual’s Pride@Liberty ERG promotes an inclusive working environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and allies feel a sense of community and opportunity.

Liberty Mutuals’ support for the LGBTQ+ community was recognized when the company received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index in 2021.

Northern Trust

For the 14th consecutive year, Northern Trust has scored 100% and earned the designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”  What differentiates Northern Trust is the unwavering belief that diversity, equity and inclusion are inextricably linked: true diversity can exist only in an inclusive work environment where any individual or group feels welcomed, respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our success.

Northern Trust is proud to celebrate Pride Month this June and while celebrations may once again look a little different for many this year because of COVID-19, colleagues around the world are celebrating with a diverse array of events.  This includes a presentation of the ‘50 Years of Fabulous’ film and a discussion with its director in the USA, a workshop on transgender and non-binary knowledge and terminology in the United Kingdom, a seminar on LGBTQ+ parents and families in Singapore and a virtual quiz and trivia night.  Northern Trust will also be running a global virtual allies challenge where colleagues can build their knowledge on how to be an active ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

Robinhood

Robinhood was founded on a simple idea: that our financial markets should be accessible to all. With customers at the heart of their decisions, Robinhood is lowering barriers, removing fees, and providing greater access to financial information. Following National Coming Out Day last year, Robinhood introduced Rainbowhood – Robinhood’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group (ERG). In addition to this, Robinhood celebrated National Coming Out Day by hosting an internal panel where a group of Rainbowhoodies shared their own coming out experiences. Robinhood wanted to recognize just how diverse the range of coming out experiences can be, so their panel focused on struggles with identity expression, intersectionality, and the role of allies in both personal and professional lives. Robinhood was recently named a 2021 Fortune Best Workplace in Financial Services & Insurance for their commitment to supporting all of their diverse employees.

Spear Education

Spear Education deeply values diversity and what it brings to their communities and their organization. At Spear, the LGBTQ+ & Allies group promotes a positive, diverse, and inclusive work environment, and welcomes membership and contributions from all Spear employees. They provide opportunities and a safe space for Spear employees who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer for education, networking, and workplace collaboration. The group supports Spear’s business goals by driving awareness of the Spear brand within the LGBTQ+ community.

Spear Education was recognized for its inclusive culture when named AZcentral’s Top Companies to Work For in Arizona. In addition, Spear Education was one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies in 2020.

Congratulations to these great employers for leading the way in creating safe, inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ team members! And if you’re looking for a place that accepts and values everyone, take a look at the best companies to work for in Arizona.

 

Denise Gredler is the founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ.