Diageo Recognized by Human Rights Campaign as "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality" for Sixth Year in a Row

NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the world's leading premium spirits, wine and beer company, is proud to announce that it has earned a perfect score of 100 percent in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)'s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the sixth consecutive year. The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.  Diageo has been consistently recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work" and listed as one of the top companies that support equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for the sixth year running, especially in this historic year of progress for equal rights of LGBT Americans," said Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo North America. "We believe it is both good business and the right thing to do to provide equitable benefits for LGBT employees and to make positive contributions to the LGBT community and culture."

The 2014 CEI rated 934 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. Diageo's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

Diageo has been an early and active supporter of equal rights of all people including signing onto the US Supreme Court amicus brief challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA), which was successfully repealed. The company also has seven employee resource groups (ERGs) that are all inclusive and are a resource to the company for recruitment, retention, employee engagement, innovation and community partnerships.  They represent ethnicity, gender, LGBT, Sustainability and Career Development. Diageo's Rainbow Network was one of the first ERGs at the company and remains one of its most active.

"Diageo has that rare workplace culture that understands people want to make a difference through our work.  Our Rainbow Network members support numerous LGBT non-profit organizations, like Lambda Legal, Out&Equal, and the Triangle Community Center, based in Norwalk.  The positive things we do for the community make us more engaged and productive as employees.  Plus, we're building strong advocates for our brands in the broader LGBT community, which is great for our business," said Calvin Burwell who leads Diageo's Rainbow Network alongside his day job as Director, Consumer Planning and Research.

For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

Diageo has been recognized multiple times this year as a top employer, including "100 Best Companies" by Working Mother Media, "50 Out Front for Diversity Leadership: Best Places for Diverse & Women Managers To Work" by DiversityMBA Magazine, and World's 8^th Best Multinational Workplace by Great Place to Work^®.

About The HRC Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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 Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo's global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo North America