Wal-Mart Stores Inc. again ranked ahead of the state's other Fortune 500 companies in the Corporate Equality Index compiled by the Human Rights Campaign.
The Bentonville retailer tied for 12th among the Top 20 Fortune 500 companies nationally for its treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. Wal-Mart scored a 90 out of 100 possible points, drawing deductions for not covering some treatments -- such as hormone therapy and surgery -- for transgender employees.
Companies are rated based on criteria that consider nondiscrimination policies, employment benefits, "demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion," public commitment to LGBT issues and "responsible citizenship." The survey and research included companies in the Fortune 1,000.
"At Walmart, 'Respect for the Individual' is one of the core beliefs that are the foundation of our company," spokesman Kevin Gardner said in an email. "We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment for our more than 2 million associates around the globe."
Among the state's Fortune 500 companies, the closest to Wal-Mart on the index was Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, which scored an 85. Tyson was docked 10 points for its lack of transgender-inclusive health coverage and received five of 10 points for a category that includes "internal guidelines that prohibit philanthropic giving to non-religious organizations with an explicit policy of discrimination toward LGBT people."
"We think this rating reflects our strongly held position against harassment and discrimination and is consistent with our core values, which call on us to be a company of diverse people who operate with integrity and respect," the company said in a statement.
Dillard's and Windstream of Little Rock each scored a 20, and Murphy Oil of El Dorado had 10 points. J.B. Hunt recorded a zero. All four of those companies were noted as having unofficial scores because only partial information was available, something the Human Rights Campaign noted was the case for 176 companies ranked in the Fortune 500.
Deena Fidas, director of the campaign's Workplace Equality Program and leader of the Corporate Equality Index survey, said all companies listed were contacted about participation. When companies did not respond, the people putting together the Corporate Equality Index attempted to find answers elsewhere.
"A partial score is indicative of the business not responding to a survey despite repeated invitations," Fidas said. "But it's not just about the survey. We'd gladly forfeit the survey. We'd all love for this index to not have to exist. It certainly does need to exist. While we continue to see great successes, many businesses still have a ways to go, even in most basic workplace rights and benefits."
This year's index included 407 companies that earned a 100-point ranking. That's up from 2015 when 366 were recognized for perfect scores. Among the Fortune 500 companies that ranked ahead of Wal-Mart were Chevron Corp., Apple Inc., General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., General Electric Co., AT&T Inc., CVS Health Corp., Federal National Mortgage Association, McKesson Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
All of those companies are among the 511 included in the Fortune 1,000 that offer transgender-inclusive health benefits. According to the index, that's up 150 percent since 2012.
Asked whether Wal-Mart had plans to include those benefits in the future, Gardner said Wal-Mart makes annual evaluations of what is needed.
"We are focused on our associates, and we evaluate and review our benefit features and policies each year," Gardner said. "Our decisions are based on what we believe are best and that will enable us to remain competitive and continue attracting and retaining great talent to our company."
Wal-Mart drew attention nationally when it issued a statement earlier this year urging Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to veto legislation titled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. There were concerns that the bill would allow for discrimination against LGBT workers. Company CEO Doug McMillon said in the statement that Wal-Mart sees "firsthand the benefits diversity and inclusion have on our associates, customers and communities we serve. It all starts with our core basic belief of respect for the individual."
Hutchinson called for a revision of the bill so that it more closely followed federal law.
Jacob Little, a member of Wal-Mart's Promoting Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity group, said the company's LGBT workers appreciated the show of support. Little was working at the company's headquarters in Bentonville at the time the legislation was introduced and now works as manager of organizational effectiveness for Wal-Mart's Global e-Commerce Headquarters in San Bruno, Calif. He cited the support of company executives, including former CEO Mike Duke, as being a selling point for workers considering Wal-Mart.
"When executives come to our meetings, they genuinely want to know what is on the mind of LGBT associates, what issues we face, and they're in a position to do something about it," Little said. "The company made a lot of progress under Mike Duke and now Doug is one of our biggest supporters. When he made a statement about the pending legislation in Arkansas, it was a huge statement as a company. It made me so proud to work for the company."
Business on 11/19/2015