By Selena Haynes | Photos Courtesy Dollar General
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) publishes the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which rates workplaces on their LGBT+ equality policies and practices.
This year, a middle Tennessee company scored big on the CEI for diversity and inclusion. Goodlettsville-based Dollar General Corporation is celebrating a 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a 15-point jump from 2017. The increase comes from the Company’s commitment of full inclusivity for its LGBT+ employees and customers.
“We are committed to respecting and embracing the differing experiences and perspectives we all bring to the table,” said Dollar General’s chief executive officer Todd Vasos. “This is a journey, and the landscape is ever changing. With such a bright future ahead of us, we will continue to collaborate to reach new customers, promote an inclusive culture, and live our values of giving back.”
The HRC measures companies for the CEI score based on four key pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families;
- Internal education and accountability metrics to promote LGBTQ inclusion competency; and,
- Public commitment to LGBTQ equality.
Since 2017, Dollar General increased diversity and inclusion training to include all areas of the business. Employees may join a number of employee resource groups (ERGs) that encourage employee participation in learning and networking opportunities, as well as community events. The Company’s EQUAL employee resource group focuses on the LGBT+ community, hosts events throughout the year and provides funding for LGBT+ organizations in the Nashville area.
Additionally, Dollar General is a proud sponsor of several local organizations including the HRC Nashville Gala, Nashville Pride and the Nashville LGBT Chamber.
One of the champions behind Dollar General’s recent HRC recognition is the Company’s director of diversity and inclusion, Bethany Mason.
Mason said the Company is proud of its 2018 CEI score. “It is an honor to be listed as a top-ranked corporation by the HRC,” Mason said. “For us, this score is a reflection of our commitment to maintaining a sense of belonging for both our employees and customers and our mission of Serving Others. We look to continue using the HRC CEI as a guide to best practices.”
Mason’s work in diversity and inclusion has not gone unnoticed. She received the Nashville LGBT Chamber’s Ally Award at this year’s Excellence in Business Awards luncheon, and she was also named as one of Black Enterprise magazine’s top executives in corporate diversity for 2018.
About DG: Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 14,609 stores in 44 states as of March 2, 2018. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo.
About HRC: As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality.
HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. For more information on HRC/CEI visit: http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index
