Hallmark Among “Best Places to Work” on Latest Corporate Equality Index
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 16, 2009) — Hallmark Cards, Inc. is among 305 major U.S. businesses to achieve a perfect 100 score in the annual Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) survey, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation announced earlier this week.
The CEI is an annual report produced by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Americans. Each year, the CEI provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to GLBT employees, consumers and investors.
Organizations receiving a score of 100 are recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work" and for support of equality for GLBT employees.
"Hallmark is honored to have earned a top rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index," said Bob Bloss, senior vice president – human resources. "The recognition by HRC as a 'best place to work' reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity in our workplace and workforce.
“Our goal is to continue to create an environment in which diversity is embraced and diverse traits are leveraged as strengths, where every employee can perform to his or her potential, and in which his or her contributions are respected and appreciated."
The 305 top-rated businesses collectively employ more than 9 million full-time employees. According to the HRC, their workers are protected from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because of their employers’ policies on diversity and inclusion, training and benefits.
For more information about the CEI and its annual report, visit http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/cei.htm
About Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Kansas City-based Hallmark has been helping people communicate, celebrate and connect for nearly 100 years. Hallmark greeting cards and other products can be found in more than 41,500 places in the U.S. alone, with the network of Hallmark Gold Crown® stores providing the very best selection. The Hallmark brand also reaches consumers online at Hallmark.com and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and the top-rated Hallmark Channel. In addition, Hallmark publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in 100 countries across the globe. The company’s Crayola subsidiary provides fun and imaginative ways for children to colorfully express themselves. In 2008, privately held Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4.3 billion. For more information about the company, visit http://corporate.hallmark.com.