Associated Bank announces its annual rating on the Human Rights
Campaign Foundation's assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality
GREEN
BAY, Wis., Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated
Bank, the largest bank headquartered in Wisconsin, proudly announced that it received
a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024
Corporate Equality Index, the nation's foremost benchmarking survey
and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to
LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Associated Bank joins the ranks of 545
major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
"We are proud to be recognized for our LGBTQ+ equality and
inclusion efforts," said Andrew
Harmening, President and CEO, Associated Bank. "Our leaders
and colleagues alike continue to build upon a culture that
recognizes and values colleagues for who they are while equitably
supporting them. As an organization we look forward to continuing
our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) journey and
commitment to our people through an increasingly inclusive
workplace."
Associated Bank's Pride & Equality Colleague Resource Group
(CRG) was instrumental in earning this recognition.
"Associated's Pride and Equality CRG will continue to be a
visible resource within the company and in our communities," said
John Halechko, EVP, Director of Branch Banking, Pride &
Equality CRG Executive Sponsor, Associated Bank. "New and
prospective colleagues are valued not just for what they bring to
the company, but for who they are as individuals. The Pride and
Equality CRG is a true resource to our colleagues, friends and
allies."
The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how U.S.-based
companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the
U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319
participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384
participants; further demonstrating the tremendous trajectory of
the CEI, a record-breaking 1,340 businesses have non-discrimination
protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002.
These critical non-discrimination protections cover 21 million
employees in the U.S. and around the globe. Associated Bank's
efforts in satisfying all the CEI's criteria earned a score of 100
and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award:
Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
The CEI rates employers providing these crucial protections to
over 20 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million outside
of the U.S. Companies rated in the CEI include Fortune magazine's
500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine's
top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and hundreds of
publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.
The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four
central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
- Supporting an inclusive culture
- Corporate social responsibility
The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
"For well over two decades, businesses have played an important
role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and
voices when it comes to workplace inclusion. While there is much
more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is
evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility
and value in upholding equity and inclusion," said RaShawn
"Shawnie" Hawkins, Human Rights
Campaign Sr Director of Workplace Equality. "Our goal at the Human
Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership
with companies, providing educational resources and leading
benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support
the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented
legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical
violence. The CEI is an ever-evolving tool – a blueprint that
companies can use to show up more effectively in supporting their
LGBTQ+ employees and their families."
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the
educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's
largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people.
Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make
transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people,
shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding
of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and
racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more
than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in
the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC
Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to
institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive
policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders
and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the
firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges
partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to
increase our impact and shape the future of our work.
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of
$42 billion and is the largest bank
holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading
Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial
products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving
more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The Company also operates loan
production offices in Indiana,
Michigan, Missouri, New
York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal
Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More
information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at
www.associatedbank.com.
Contact: Jennifer
Kaminski
Vice President | Public Relations Senior
Manager
920-491-7576 | Jennifer.Kaminski@associatedbank.com
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SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp