The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has named Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality in its 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is recognized as the nation’s premier benchmarking survey, rating the policies and practices of major companies to protect LGBTQ workers and customers.

Blue Cross achieved a perfect score of 100 in the 2020 survey, joining a record 686 companies across nearly all industries to receive a top score this year.

“We believe that advancing diversity, inclusion and equity is a critical hallmark of being a great place to work,” says Dr. Craig Samitt, Blue Cross president and CEO. “Receiving a perfect score on the corporate equality index honors our passion to embrace all types of diversity and reflects our desire to be a place where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work.”

Associates key in company’s LGBTQ equality efforts

The Blue Pride Associate Resource Group (ARG) has played an integral role in working to achieve this designation and to embed these values in company culture.

Last year, Blue Pride, chaired by community initiatives manager Gilbert Achay, organized several LGBTQ educational opportunities, including a “Gender Identity 101” training session, where associates could learn about these topics in a setting where no question was off limits.

In addition, Blue Pride members hosted a booth at the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Festival. This type of engagement highlights Blue Cross’ commitment to the broader LGBTQ community in Minnesota.

“I have experienced Blue Cross to be a wonderful, inclusive, and supportive environment to work and I believe we deserve the distinction as a best place to work for LGBTQ inclusion,” says Ani Koch, a senior program manager on the community integration team and member of Blue Pride. “Blue Pride and the associates involved in this group have been a critical support for internal efforts to improve the work environment for transgender and nonbinary associates.”

“I have experienced Blue Cross to be a wonderful, inclusive, and supportive environment to work."
-Ani Koch (left)

“I feel proud to be a part of an organization that makes this imperative work a priority,” says Britteny Gustafson, a talent advisor associate and member of Blue Pride. “A lot had to be done to ensure we received a perfect score this year and I am thrilled we were able to accomplish this goal thanks to our project team and collaborative efforts across the enterprise.”

“I feel proud to be a part of an organization that makes this imperative work a priority.”
-Britteny Gustafson (right)

More equality work to be done in 2020

While again achieving a perfect score on the CEI index is an important milestone for Blue Cross, Koch says Blue Pride is not done in furthering its efforts to promote LGBTQ equality in the workplace and in the community.

“We have a series of goals for 2020 that will require engagement from the entire enterprise,” says Koch. “I look forward to partnering with other associates and leaders to live our values as we reinvent ourselves to meet the needs of all of our members and the community.”

About the CEI

For their annual Corporate Equality Index, the HRC looks at how companies are working to ensure greater equity for LGBTQ workers and their families in terms of its employee policies, benefits and practices. This year, the CEI rating criteria have three key pillars:

• Non-discrimination polices across business entities,
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families, and
• Supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility.

You can learn more about the CEI and read the full report here.