NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - November 19, 2014) - JetBlue Airways Corporation, New York's Hometown Airline, is proud to announce that it has earned the top score of 100 percent on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a leading survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
"Our mission at JetBlue is to inspire humanity both in the air and on the ground," said Mike Elliott, JetBlue's Senior Vice President of People. "So we are proud to help lead the way when it comes to advancing equality and doing the right thing for crewmembers and customers alike."
In addition to supporting JetPride, an LGBT peer resource group for its crewmembers, JetBlue supports an array of nonprofit groups focused on LGBT equality. Among these are Athlete Ally, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Empire State Pride Agenda, National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, New York City Anti-Violence Project, PFLAG NYC, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and pride celebrations at its focus cities in Long Beach, CA and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. JetBlue Airways not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."
The 2015 CEI rated 972 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. JetBlue's efforts to meet all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.
For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 86 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 825 daily flights. New service to Curacao begins in December. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.