The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has released its annual list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” with 305 companies receiving the distinction based on their employment policies and practices that include GLBT workers and their families. 

A complete list of the honored businesses is available online at hrc.org/placestowork. None of the companies were based in Tennessee.
 
“These companies' actions constitute tangible, significant civil rights progress," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "By mandating equal opportunity in hiring, ensuring equal compensation through medical and family benefits, and promoting informed work forces and equal work places, these companies light the way for advances in state and federal law.

"The list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking employment with a company that supports our community.  Corporate America continues to make progress, and federal law has to catch up.  That's the job ahead of us.”
 
The “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the HRC Foundation’s 2010 Corporate Equality Index, the primary method for businesses to benchmark and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to GLBT workers. 

The index evaluates non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training and other internal resources for GLBT workers, as well as external support for LGBT consumers and job seekers.  Released in early September, the 2010 Corporate Equality Index report is available online at hrc.org/cei.  
 
The 305 businesses will be honored on March 17 at the Sixth Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception at the Time Warner Center in New York.  The seminar will also honor the winner(s) of the 2010 Innovation Award for Workplace Equality – an award given to highlight a truly innovative program that a business has implemented to drive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace inclusion.