News

McDonald's, Darden top LGBTQ-friendly workplace list

December 5, 2016

McDonald's may indeed be one of the nation's oldest QSR brands, but today's release of the annual Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign found that the brand is also quite progressive when it come to LGBTQ rights in the workplace.

McDonald's was not only the top QSR brand on the annual list but was also among just two restaurant brands to attain a 100 percent score this year.

Casual restaurant company Darden Restaurants also scored 100 percent in this year's report for its benefits and protections for all employees, regardless of sexual preference. 

The organization behind the list, HRC, compiled the report from data obtained from 1,043 companies regarding their benefits and protection for workplace equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals in the workforce. If found that a record-breaking 517 companies earned 100 points, including 156 Fortune 500 companies.

HRC said in a news release that a total of 72 food- and beverage-related companies were included in that list of top-scoring companies, including the two aforementioned restaurant brands.

In fact, the list of top ranking companies includes a total of 12 restaurant brands, including Chipotle, Caribou Coffee, Burger King, Yum Brands, Wendy's and Domino's, that scored more than 70 points on the report's gauge of LGBTQ-friendly policies.

"From cereal staples to family restaurants, the companies behind the brands that feed America have demonstrated that their LGBTQ workers and families are a priority when it comes to ensuring equality across their policies and benefits," said Director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program Deena Fidas.

The annual report rates companies on criteria in five categories, including: 

• Non-discrimination policies.
• Employment benefits.
• Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion;
• Public commitment to LGBT equality
• And responsible citizenship.

"The unprecedented expansion of inclusive workplaces across the country and around the globe not only reflects our progress, it helps drive it," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "As we enter a new chapter in our fight for equality, support from the business community will be more critical than ever to protect our historic advancements over the last decade and to continue to push equality forward for workers, customers, and families around the world."