IHG's Elie Maalouf
IHG’s Elie Maalouf

For the fourth straight year, IHG has earned a 100 percent score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Annual Corporate Equality Index.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the fourth year running, and has been named a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

IHG Chief Executive Officer – The Americas, Elie Maalouf, said: “IHG proudly promotes an environment where all our guests and colleagues feel welcome. We are grateful for this important recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and thankful for its steadfast commitment to championing diversity and inclusion for all.”

The 2018 CEI rated more than 900 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community.

IHG champions equality for LGBT citizens, guests and colleagues as part of our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all. As part of the Human Rights Campaign’s Business Coalition for Equality, IHG is one of 107 major companies that have officially endorsed the bipartisan Equality Act, which would provide the same basic protections to LGBT individuals as are provided to other protected groups under federal law, in employment, housing, education and public services. Additionally, IHG has taken a leadership stance in working with legislatures at the state level, encouraging an environment that is friendly to business and welcoming to all.

IHG also continues its commitment to the advancement of the LGBT community on a local level in the United States. The IHG Out and Open Employee Resource Group spearheaded initiatives around the company’s Platinum-level sponsorship of the annual Atlanta Pride Festival, garnering support from more than 200 LGBT and ally colleagues from across Americas HQ. IHG is also a Gold Sponsor of the Georgia Diversity Council, as well as a member of the National Diversity Council, the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Prospers, a partnership of business leaders committed to a prosperous Georgia that welcomes all people.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management