Owens Corning Earns Perfect Score on Corporate Equality Index for Eighth Consecutive Year

Published on Thursday, 08 December 2011 13:34 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) today announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, a civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.  Owens Corning has achieved a 100-percent CEI rating every year since 2004.

The 2012 CEI rated 850 companies on a scale of 0 to 100 percent relative to 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year.  Owens Corning was one of 190 companies to achieve a perfect CEI score.  To achieve a perfect score and the distinction as one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," companies must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency and a public commitment to equality, and exercise responsible citizenship.

"Owens Corning is honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for an eighth consecutive year as one of the best places to work for LGBT equality," said Frank O'Brien-Bernini, Owens Corning vice president and Chief Sustainability Officer, and executive sponsor of the company's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Advocates (GLBTA) affinity group.  "Embracing diversity and inclusion provides a competitive advantage by creating an environment where the most outstanding talent in the world feels welcomed, respected and valued for their contributions.  This enables Owens Corning and our customers to take full advantage of the collective experience and perspective that our employees possess."

Owens Corning has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.  The company operates six employee-led affinity groups that work to advance the company's commitment to inclusiveness.  These affinity groups, which include the African American Resource Group; Connections; GLBTA; Hispanic Diversity Council; Owens Corning Multicultural Network; and Women's Information Network, develop programs and activities focused on fostering employee engagement, business impact and community connections.

"Corporate America is leading the charge for equality in the workplace," said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  "We commend the businesses that participated in the CEI.  They understand that LGBT-inclusive workplace policies are the right thing to do and good business practices."  

For further information on the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Owens Corning

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass-fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems.  A Fortune® 500 company for 57 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability by delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives.  Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass-fiber technology with sales of $5.0 billion in 2010 and approximately 15,000 employees in 28 countries on five continents.  Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com.

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.

SOURCE Owens Corning