ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Borders Group, Inc. has attained a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, a civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) equality. This marks the fourth time -- and the second consecutive year -- that Borders Group has attained a perfect score on the Index since the HRC began publishing it in 2002.
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This year's Index rated a total of 583 businesses on a scale of 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of GLBT employees and consumers. Ratings are based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees.
"We are honored to once again receive this prestigious ranking," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer George Jones. "We value the creative ideas and opinions that come from a diverse team and work hard to ensure that diversity and inclusion are a part of everyday life here at Borders."
Borders Group established a diversity initiative more than six years ago to support the business imperative of diversity in the workplace. Through the work of an internal diversity task force and related subcommittees and advisory councils, the initiative focuses on four strategic cornerstones of diversity: reflecting the communities Borders Group serves; anticipating and surpassing the expectations of diverse customers; formalizing a supplier diversity program; and building internal and external awareness of Borders Group's commitment to diversity.
As part of its diversity program, Borders Group has several Employee Action Groups (EAGs) that support diversity efforts in the workplace, marketplace, and the local community. The GLBT EAG advocates for GLBT employees by raising awareness of GLBT issues in the corporate office, and exploring ways to extend the Borders commitment to diversity to customers and the local community.
"I have the pleasure of working with many individuals here at Borders who support our broad diversity initiative by being part of our EAGs," said Leah Maguire, associate lead counsel and diversity director for Borders Group. "These groups are active both at the company level and within their local communities in promoting the value and importance of workplace diversity, as well as educating others about the issues that are unique to their constituencies."
Borders Group will be formally recognized at the CEI awards reception in late January 2009. For more information on the 2009 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 (HRC) is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. , is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and recently launched Borders.com for online shopping. For more information, visit http://www.borders.com/aboutus.
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