Tuesday, January 21, 2020
WILMINGTON, Del. (Jan. 21, 2020) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware strives to be a workplace where all employees can bring their whole selves to work and to know that they are appreciated and welcome as unique individuals. In recognition of Highmark Delaware's supportive and inclusive culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning employees, the company has earned distinction as a "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality" from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Highmark Delaware qualified for the award for the first time this year and received the top score of 100 points. The 2020 national Corporate Equality Index benchmarks corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees, helping businesses to compare themselves to those that are leaders in diversity and inclusion.
"Being recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is a huge honor for our company. It is a testament to Highmark Delaware's commitment to support our employees and their families, and to serve our members and community," said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark BCBS Delaware.
This year, three Highmark Health companies have received perfect scores, with Highmark Delaware and Highmark West Virginia making the list for the first time, joining Highmark Inc., which has earned the designation since 2017.
"Highmark Inc. strives to honor its many diverse employees and customers by being an inclusive, respectful and safe place to work and do business," said Dr. Lonie Haynes, vice president of diversity and inclusion for Highmark Health. "We are proud that Highmark Delaware and Highmark West Virginia are joining Highmark Inc. in being recognized as leaders within the LGBTQ communities they serve."
Among the practices that earned Highmark Delaware the "Best Place to Work" designation are equivalent spousal and domestic partner benefits related to health, dental and vision coverage, and legal dependent coverage; transgender-inclusive benefits and workplace transition guidelines, yearly collaboration with human resources to educate leaders and the workforce about understanding the LGBTQ community; sponsorship of community activities that engage and include LGBTQ employees and that continue to build community partnerships; and involvement with the corporate LGBTQ business resource group (BRG), which acts as a vital resource and partner to our business, enhancing our capabilities and knowledge in workforce inclusivity and marketplace excellence, and helping us to connect with the communities we serve.
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware serves approximately 460,000 members through the company's health care benefits business. It is an influential company in the market generating an economic impact of $135 million and supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. www.hrc.org
For more information, contact
Denée Crumrine
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware
302-421-2448
Denee.Crumrine@highmarkhealth.org