PLEASANTON, Calif., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) announced today that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

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"Having a workplace that is supportive and celebrates diversity is not only important, but is key to the success of our business," said Larree Renda, Executive Vice President. "Through the efforts of our Employee Resource Groups and Human Resources Department, we have a company that offers a positive culture, good benefits and opportunities for our employees."

Some of the programs and initiatives that make Safeway one of the best places to work include:


    --  An inclusive benefits package
    --  An LGBT employee resource group, Safeway Gay and Lesbian Alliance, which
        was created in 2006
    --  Financial sponsorship and participation in annual AIDS Walk fundraiser
        in several cities as well as the annual Pride Parade in San Francisco,
        Calif.

The 2014 CEI rated 934 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. Safeway's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

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.

About Safeway: www.Safeway.com
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,406 stores in the United States with annual sales of $37.5 billion in 2012.

Media Contact: Teena Massingill, teena.massingill@safeway.com

SOURCE Safeway Inc.