AUBURN HILLS, Mich., and TORRANCE, Calif -

The Human Rights Commission has taken note of two of the Big 3’s commitment to corporate equality.

Both Chrysler and Ford received perfect scores in the HRC’s annual corporate equality index (CEI), which rates corporations based on their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace policies and benefits.

The two automakers represented just two of 190 employers to achieve a perfect score in the 2012 report, which rated 646 employers. 

Also of note, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota Motor Sales USA  received perfect scores, as well, on the annual report card of America’s treatment of LGBT employees, consumers and investors.

And rounding out the Big 3, General Motors received an 80 percent.

In the report, officials highlighted the businesses included demonstrated commitment to the LGBT community.

"This year’s CEI also rated businesses’ demonstrated commitment to a robust LGBT organizational competency program that enhances an inclusive work environment, a public commitment to the LGBT community in the form of philanthropy, support for LGBT equality under the law, supplier diversity and other efforts aimed at broadly engaging with our community," the report stressed. "LGBT people are an integral part of the American workforce and, similarly, the benefits and protections of employment are crucial to our community as we continue to work for full inclusion."

"Promoting Diversity"

For Chrysler, this was the sixth time it achieved a perfect score on the CEI — which was first established in 2002.

"All of our employees at Chrysler contribute to the success of our company," said Nancy Rae, senior vice president of human resources at Chrysler.

"Chrysler Group prides itself in creating an inclusive business environment in which all people and ideas are appreciated and respected,” she added.

And this isn’t the first time an organization has taken note of Chrysler’s actions to promote diversity.

Chrysler Group has been named to HispanicBusiness magazine’s annual Diversity Elite 60 list for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

Moreover, the editors of DiversityInc magazine named Chrysler  to the magazine’s 2011 list of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity."

Demonstrating the company’s commitment to equality, when chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne took the reins as executive sponsor of Chrysler’s Global Diversity Council in early 2010, he had this to say:  "Culture is the fabric that holds organizations together. It is not just an ingredient for success; it is the essence of success itself.

“This is why my leadership team and I are committed to creating an atmosphere where all of our people feel respected and valued, because every person plays an important role in shaping our future, including employees, our supply base, our marketing and our dealer network. Chrysler Group LLC and its people have a future with promise. We will reach the full measure of that promise only as one, united diverse team,” he concluded.

Toyota Continues Perfect Score Streak

For Toyota, this is the fifth consecutive year TMS achieved a score of 100 on the index and the fourth year for TFS.

Commenting on the recent news, Jerome Miller, vice president of diversity and inclusion for Toyota Motor Sales USA, said, "Toyota is honored to be recognized by the HRC.

"Diversity and inclusion are essential components of every aspect of our business.  We believe building a work force that reflects the communities it serves is not only the right thing to do, but also gives us a competitive advantage in the marketplace,” he added.

Ann Bybee, vice president of corporate strategy, communications and corporate social responsibility for TFS, chimed in, noting, "This validation of our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion means a great deal not only to us and our Associates, but also to our customers and the LGBT organizations we are privileged to support, including GLAAD, Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, Point Foundation, the Trevor Project and many more.

"Toyota looks forward to continuing to work with HRC in its efforts to support the LGBT community nationwide,” she concluded.

The Consumer Side of the CEI

In the CEI, businesses are rated on a scale from 0 to 100, based on their policies in support of LGBT people.

“These include anti-discrimination protections, domestic partner benefits, diversity training, transgender-inclusive benefits and external practices,” officials noted.

A perfect score indicates a company provides full parity for domestic partner benefits, not only in basic medical coverage, but in dependent care, retirement and other benefits that affect families’ financial and medical well-being.

The results are then published in the HRC’s annual “Buying for Equality” guide.

This guide is designed to encourage consumers to buy products and services from those companies that best support the LGBT community.

The Corporate Equality Index is available for review here.

And the "Buying for Equality" guide can be downloaded here.