Corporate Equality Innovation Award
Overview
The HRC Corporate Equality Index (CEI) has been a key driver for advancing the forward-thinking policies within corporate America and the change has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2002 only 13 businesses received a perfect score of 100 percent. As of 2008, 195 businesses shared that distinction. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation will continue to celebrate those achievements through specific acknowledgement of each business in our publications, advertising materials, on our website and during receptions and events.
Out of this enormous progress, individual businesses have developed truly innovative programs/initiatives that contribute to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) workplace inclusion. The HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Award will help drive innovation by highlighting program/initiative best practices.
Some examples of innovative programs may include, but not limited to:
- GLBT programs that turn policies into practice following mergers & acquisitions or in highly decentralized organizations
- GLBT recruitment and retention programs such as optional self-identification, eliminating "front door" bias and promoting GLBT managers (senior-level)
- Model transgender wellness benefits
- Leadership diversity performance metrics on GLBT workplace issues
- GLBT supplier diversity; supply-chain management
- GLBT Global policies and programs (e.g. Global AIDS awareness initiatives)
- Intervention that has significantly changed the workplace climate for GLBT employees and their allies.
The Award
The HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Award honors one or two businesses annually for a specific program or initiative that makes a positive difference to GLBT workers in the United States. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation seeks truly unique initiatives or programs that demonstrate leadership and corporate stewardship for GLBT people in the workplace.
The first HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Awards will be presented during the Winter of 2009.
Business Rationale for Receiving this Award
The HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Awards present a unique opportunity to garner national attention for leading-edge efforts for equality for GLBT workers. Award recipients will receive:
- National recognition from the country’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization through press outreach.
- Exposure in Equality magazine, the largest circulating GLBT magazine in the country.
- Exposure on HRC’s website.
- Recognition in the annual Corporate Equality Index report as a leader among leaders.
- Opportunity to be recognized as a leader by peer businesses during a half-day teach-out session the same day as the awards reception.
Business Eligibility
Businesses that score 100 percent on the CEI, or can demonstrate they will receive 100 percent for the year in which they apply, are eligible to apply for the HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Award.
Specific programs/initiatives, and not the business generally, will be the focus of the award. Businesses may only receive the HRC Corporate Equality Innovation Award for one program or initiative per year and may not receive awards in consecutive years. Applications will only be accepted from authorized persons with the business that is applying. Third-party nominations will not be accepted.
Submission/Application Process
Submissions should include:
- A completed HRC Corporate Equality Innovations Award Application covering background information on company and contact information
- Summary of program/initiative (who is involved, how long has the program existed, category of submission, brief overview of submission and contact information) (500 words maximum)
- Program/initiative name.
- What are the specific or key elements that compose the program/initiative?
- Which aspects of this program/initiative can be described as innovative?
- Which aspects of this program/initiative could be replicable in other organizations?
- How does this program/initiative provide new knowledge to the business community?
- Who is held accountable for the success of the program/initiative?
- Explanation of issues, challenges, business rationale, and benefits of the program/initiative (500 words maximum)
- What is the business rationale for the program/initiative?
- How was it developed, and who was involved?
- How is the program/initiative integrated with the overall business strategy?
- Approach / process, including communication of initiative (500 words maximum)
- How has the business rationale for the program/initiative been communicated to management and employees?
- How does the organization’s leadership communicate and tangibly demonstrate its commitment to the program/initiative?
- Description of Senior Leadership Support (500 words maximum)
- Who are the key leaders of the program/initiative, and what are their roles in the organization, as well as in relation to the program/initiative?
- What evidence can you provide to show that senior leadership commitment will be sustained over time?
- Measurable Results (500 words maximum)
- How do GLBT employees benefit? Please provide at least one employee testimonial.
- Must demonstrate measurable business results when possible or explain the impact of the program/initiative.
- Optional Supplementary data (e.g. DVD, brochure, training manual, etc.)
- Additional information or data that further highlights your program or initiative.
- A signed commitment from the business that it will
- Conduct an educational seminar prior to the awards reception (outlining the innovative program/initiative) or produce a video to be shown at the awards presentation (highlighting the program/initiative that is being honored).
- Ensure that executive leader or managing partner will be in attendance at the awards presentation.
- The application and supporting materials should be submitted as Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files to cei@hrc.org.
Note: All submitted materials should be considered public information upon submission for the award.
Selection Process
All applications will be reviewed by the HRC Business Council and the HRC Foundation staff. Applications meeting the criteria for the award will be sent to an independent panel of nationally recognized experts from business and leading advocacy and academic institutions. Members will include: HR executives at other businesses that may be in a position to replicate the program/initiative; those with name recognition in mainstream media.
Programs/Initiatives will be evaluated on the basis of:
- Originality and clear understanding of the issue and goal of fair treatment of GLBT employees
- Innovative, creative problem-solving approach
- Business rationale
- Implementation of program/initiative via corporate communication and/or diversity and inclusion change program
- Replicability
- Senior-level involvement and support
- Strength and measurability of the results (did the approach have the desired effect?)
Timeline
- Submissions Due: Sep. 15, 2008
- Follow-up calls with nominees: Oct. 15, 2008
- Awardees notified: Dec. 1, 2008
- Awardees announced: Early 2009
