Raytheon named "Best Place to Work" for LGBT equality for tenth straight year

WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has named Raytheon as a 2015 "Best Place to Work" for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. The company earned a perfect 100 percent rating for the tenth year in a row.

HRC, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights group, surveyed 971 businesses for its annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which reports on policies and practices related to LGBT equality in the workplace. 

Among the practices considered for the survey were non-discrimination workplace policies, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community.

"This perfect 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign for the tenth year in a row reflects how strongly Raytheon values the diversity of its workforce," said Hayward Bell, chief diversity officer for Raytheon. "We don't just encourage the development of a diverse workforce. We insist on it as a key competitive advantage worldwide."

Raytheon, one of 366 organizations to earn a perfect score on the index, has long been a pioneer in diversity among aerospace and defense companies. In January 2002, it became one of the first in its industry to adopt a benefits policy for domestic partners. In 2005, it became the first defense company to receive a perfect score on the Corporate Equality index. 

"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 Human Rights Campaign 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. Raytheon 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."

Raytheon has received a number of honors recognizing its commitment to diversity. In 2014, the Women's Business Enterprise Council listed Raytheon as one of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises, and Equal Opportunity magazine named the company as a Top 50 Employer.

For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit http://www.hrc.org/cei.

About the Human Rights Campaign

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 Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon

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