HRC Foundation, in partnership with Fundación Iguales, Chile’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, released the 2019 HRC Equidad CL Report, a first-of-its-kind assessment evaluating LGBT-inclusive policies and best practices in major Chilean companies.

In the inaugural report, 15 companies earned top ratings and obtained the HRC Foundation’s designation of “Best Place to Work for the LGBT Community” or “Mejores Lugares para Trabajar LGBT,” reflecting their commitment to LGBT equality and adoption of vital LGBT-inclusive policies and practices for their employees. The Chilean-based survey, inspired by HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) -- the premier benchmarking tool on corporate LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices in the U.S.  -- is HRC’s first in-country program in South America and the second in Latin America following the successful model of Equidad MX in Mexico.

This year, HRC Equidad CL evaluated LGBT workplace inclusion among more than 30 major companies across the country.

Hosted by the leading global accounting firm Deloitte, HRC was joined today by corporate leaders and representatives of major employers recognized for their continuing efforts to create an inclusive corporate culture and commitment to undertake the HRC Equidad CL survey. The survey assesses businesses and multinational companies based on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion:

• Adoption of non-discrimination policies;
• Creation of employee resource groups or diversity councils; and
• Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

“The results of the 2019 Equidad CL survey showcase the growing commitment of major Chilean employers to greater LGBT workplace inclusion across the country,” said Beck Bailey, HRC Foundation’s Acting Director of the Workplace Equality Program. “Promoting LGBT inclusion and welcoming spaces is a fundamental corporate value that provides both fair workplaces for LGBT employees and a competitive business edge. We commend the business honorees for their leadership and determination to invest in LGBT inclusion and foster better workplaces for all in Chile.”

“We are very proud to achieve the highest ranking in Equidad CL and for being recognized as one of the Chilean companies that guarantees a friendly environment for LGBT people,” said Matías Verdugo, CEO of Empresas SB. “This encourages and commits us to continue fostering workplaces free from biases and discrimination, and to positively contribute to a country that respects differences because it understands the value of diversity.”

“It has been an honor to have such a valuable tool in Chile as Equidad CL,” said Emilio Maldonado, HRC Equidad CL Implementing Partner. “To be able to recognize the businesses that have decided to be safe spaces for their LGBT workers not only makes us proud, but it also convinces us that this will motivate other companies to make the necessary changes to promote these types of spaces, adopting policies and initiatives to achieve those cultural changes.”

HRC is proud to recognize Accenture Chile, Bayer Chile, Deloitte Chile, Empresas SB, IBM de Chile, J.P. Morgan, McKinsey & Company Chile, Procter & Gamble Chile, SAP, Scotiabank, Sodexo Inversiones, Boston Consulting Group, Uber Chile, Walmart Chile and Page Group to celebrate LGBT inclusion in the workplace.

HRC Equidad CL recently developed a new Spanish-language business toolkit designed to help LGBT employees and allies start a dialogue with senior leaders about LGBT workplace practices. This resource is especially helpful to Latin American employers striving to create welcoming environments by investing in LGBT inclusion. Through its partnerships with local organizations, HRC is leading the efforts to advance LGBT workplace inclusion and equality in workplaces across the U.S., Mexico, and Chile impacting more than 30.6 million employees worldwide.

For more information on HRC’s Global Workplace Equality Programs and business toolkits, please visit hrc.im/equidadCL.