These two suburban tech companies landed perfect scores for LGBTQ equality

Trans-inclusive healthcare benefits, non-discrimination policies and equivalency in same-sex partner benefits landed SAP and TE Connectivity — both global tech companies with their North American headquarters in the Philly ‘burbs — a perfect score in the Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

The ranking, a national survey and report on LGBTQ workplace equality, is prepared by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Both TE Connectivity and SAP received multiple perfect scores on the yearly index, which ranked over 500 companies according to nine criteria of equality and inclusion.

(SAP and TE Connectivity are both European companies, but their North American HQs are in Newtown Square and Berwyn, respectively.)

“This recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is one we take great pride in at TE, as engagement and inclusion are key parts of teamwork, one of our core values,” said TE Connectivity CEO Terrence Curtin. “I think most people would agree that recruiting and fostering a diverse workforce is the right thing to do.”

The CEO said the company believes in the tie between innovation and an inclusive workplace.

“Having an inclusive environment where everyone is comfortable sharing their ideas also inspires the type of innovation that helps us create a safer, sustainable, productive and connected future,” Curtin said.

Of the 572 companies that received a perfect 100-point score, TE Connectivity and SAP are the only two tech companies in the Philly area. A number of not-so-tech local businesses also aced the exam, such as Aramark, Urban Outfitters and Vanguard.

Comcast came pretty close to achieving a perfect score: It scored 90 of 100, only missing equivalency in same- and different sex domestic partner medical and soft benefits.

The report found that the number of U.S. employees under the protection of a non-discrimination policy that specifically bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is just 16.8 million. At 85% of Fortune 500 companies, gender identity is now part of non-discrimination policies, a massive jump from just 3% in 2002.

“The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to their global operations and impacting millions of people beyond our shores,” said Chad Griffin, the president of the HRC. “Time and again, leading American businesses have shown that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also good for business.”