Buying for Workplace Equality

[mechante_fille]

Sorry for c/ping the wording, but they worded it better than I would. I try to use the guide when it first comes out each year... and then it sits on my desktop, unused. But now there is an app! Which would do me more good if I had an iphone, but at least it will be helpful to people who do have one.

Comments

[mechante_fille]

I'd rather give money to a company that put non-discrimination policies in place than one that didn't even bother, yes. But some of the things they rate them on are real tangible benefits, which do make a difference and individual managers can't screw up (much). Also, advertising. These companies have a lot of sway over the minds of consumers. How they advertise and what community events they choose to publicly support can make a difference in how consumers think.

I really kind of like my Reeboks, and Lowe's is closer than Home Depot. Darn it.

[mechante_fille]

*nods* Some people don't agree completely with the criteria (and the values assigned) as it is mostly about how they treat the people who work for them, and less focused on what other impact they have on the larger community. But it is a way of breaking it down, so good for something. ^_^

[mechante_fille]

That's great that Lowe's is being awesome with Jaime. It is entirely possible that they would score higher if they answered the survey. They've been given repeated opportunities to answer the questions they are scored on, but without input from Lowe's the HRC could only score them on publicly available information, in this case that their non-discrimination policy includs sexual orientation, and that they offer health insurance for domestic-partners

[sunhawk16]

There's an app for everything! Thanks for posting it. ^____^

[mechante_fille]

You are welcome!

[merith]

I'll have to check out the whole list, but of what you've got there, I don't shop/buy from any of those places. I normally USPS over UPS (or any of the others), but will Brown if USPS isn't a good fit.

I do love my Reebok Walkers, though. :( I'm not a fan of Nike (even without the sweatshop thing). Maybe I'll have to check into Keds, again.

Update: I just went and looked, and my company rated a 15%... I'm thinking they did because they didn't respond to the survey. In looking at the questions, I know the company is much higher. I'm not sure what their policies, offering and training are concerning trans-genders. *I* know there are other unspecified policies in place and harassment/discrimination training touches on all realms of individuals (age, sex, orientation). So, higher than a 15, but probably not 100%.

[mechante_fille]

USPS doesn't get a score because they aren't a company, they are the government. I'm not sure how they would rate, though. I know H. Clinton is introducing all kinds of good policies in the State Department, but I don't know about the post office. Here's their non-discrimination policy. That's a start.

Does it say 'unofficial rating' in the score box? Maybe you should volunteer to fill out the survey. ^_^ Or ask, at an appropriate time, why they didn't. Probably some companies didn't want a score at all. When they see they've been scored anyway, more will probably step up to fill it out.

[merith]

That was my thought too - I've sent myself the link to work email and I'll contact my HR rep. I know the company has this big no communication policy, but I'm pretty damn sure they don't want such a low scoring sitting out there either. Not sure if HRC was able to contact the right person or not, but I'm thinking this should be addressed by someone. It's not in line with the "best place to work" motto the company's always had.

Oh, and yeah, it was an unofficial rating.

[mechante_fille]

Cool, let me know how it goes. ^_^