TDS one of 14 Wisconsin-based firms to receive perfect score
TDS Telecommunications received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for being a 2021 “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.” TDS joins the ranks of 767 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.
CEI is a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) employees. The survey is administered by the HRC Foundation.
“We are thrilled to be among the ‘Best Places to Work’ for the LGBTQ community with a perfect 100% score,” says Jacqui Regenbogen, manager of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. “I am extremely proud that TDS has earned the 2021 distinction, as this is our very first time participating. Our company is stronger because of our commitment to ‘Invest in People’ which includes all our employees as highlighted with this recognition. We will continue to embrace diversity moving forward and further develop our Inclusive Leadership practice.”
TDS is one of only 14 Wisconsin-based companies to receive a 100 score.*
HRC President Alphonso David congratulated the businesses for “stepping up and continuing to prioritize and champion LGBTQ equality. The progress made since the CEI’s inception is truly astounding and proves these initiatives have a deep impact on the day-to-day lives of LGBTQ workers.”
According to HRC, the 767 companies who earned high marks on the CEI represent over 13 million employees nationwide.
The 2021 CEI report evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. TDS’s efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria result in a designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
By joining the Wisconsin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, including a same-sex couple in a commercial, and by targeting some of our recruiting efforts at LGBTQ virtual career fairs and job board postings, TDS earned the highest score possible in outreach and representation. In addition, TDS updated its corporate social responsibility and philanthropy policy to prohibit philanthropic support to any non-religious organizations that have a written policy of discrimination against LGBTQ people.
TDS also requires all new employees to attend two, web-based trainings that clearly state our non-discrimination policy includes sexual orientation. Providing equal benefits for same and different-sex spouses and transgender-inclusive health care coverage also contributed to this high rating for TDS.
“Our 2BU Employee Resource Group continues to support an inclusive culture here,” says Jacqui. “A special shout out to 2BU members and its leaders for doing an amazing job of advancing LGBTQ equality with our staff and customers.”
TDS is pleased to join UScellular, who has earned a score of 100 on the CEI for the last three years.
For more information on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit https://www.hrc.org/cei.
*Wisconsin Based Companies who earned 100 on CEI
Brookfield: Fiserv
Menomonee Falls: Kohl’s
Milwaukee: Foley & Lardner, ManpowerGroup, Michael Best & Friedrich, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, Quarles & Brady, Robert W. Baird & Co., Rockwell Automation
Madison: Alliant Energy Corp, American Family Mutual Insurance Company, CUNA Mutual Group, TDS Telecommunications
Racine: S.C. Johnson & Sons
