International Game Technology (IGT) announced Wednesday that it has received a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation‘s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Brian Blake, IGT Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, said: “IGT being recognized once again with a top score in HRC’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index demonstrates our commitment to delivering an inclusive workplace culture where LGBTQ+ employees are welcomed and valued.”
“Over the last few years, IGT has implemented a variety of important policies, practices, and benefits to make IGT a more inclusive employer for LGTBQ+ professionals, elevate company-wide allyship, and support IGT’s objective of continuous DEI learning and improvement,” he added.
Brian Blake
RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Workplace Equality, commented: “For well over two decades, businesses have played an important role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and voices when it comes to workplace inclusion. While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion.”
“Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources, leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community,” Hawkins added.
RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins
Since 2018, when IGT created the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (now the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), the company has implemented a range of programs, policy and systems changes, and practices that have promoted diversity to make it a more attractive and inclusive employer. These actions include:
- Implementing more inclusive and equitable hiring processes, including utilizing LGBTQ+ job boards to post positions.
- Creation and support of employee-led and executive-sponsored Employee Impact Groups (EIGs) to work cohesively with IGT’s DEI team and support the development of new programming and policies.
- Facilitating mandatory and elective employee training courses that help support IGT’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including training on unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and harassment.
- Establishing gender transition guidelines to best support an employee and their manager, human resources business partner, or an employee’s dependent who is transitioning.
- Transgender-inclusive restroom/facilities policy and gender-neutral dress code policies.
- The voluntary option for employees to personally select and share their preferred pronouns. Respecting and creating space to recognize gender identity is a core element of DEI at IGT.
The 2023-2024 CEI includes 1,384 participants and showcases how U.S.-based companies promote LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy group, the HRC Foundation rated businesses on detailed criteria across four central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
- Supporting an inclusive culture
- Corporate social responsibility.
