In their first global benchmark survey, the Amsterdam-based Workplace Pride Foundation ranked Dow as one of the world's most LGBT-inclusive (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) employers recognizing the company for its LGBT workplace inclusion policies and practices, and earning Dow a Global Benchmark endorsement as one of the Top-5 scoring organizations.

Representing the ideal of LGBT workplace inclusion on an international scale, and developed over the course of two years under the leadership of Workplace Pride with the support of the University of Leiden in The Netherlands, 19 major employers representing more than 1.9 million employees in 96 countries worldwide were scored across seven elements:  policy & communication, employee networks, inclusion & engagement, workplace awareness, support & benefits, expertise & monitoring and business & supplier engagement. 

Scoring against the 100% of the Global Benchmark, the top 5 companies recognized were IBM (86%), Dow (80%), BNP Paribas (76%), Shell (73%) and Cisco Systems (67%).  The survey is designed to be annually recurring to provide data to companies to be able to measure and track progress on LGBT workplace inclusion.

The Workplace Pride ranking joins a long list of recognitions highlighting Dow's efforts to foster a safe, inclusive, supportive and open working environment for all employees regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.  For example, Dow was also named one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT equality" for the ninth consecutive year in 2014, again earning 100 percent on HRC's Corporate Equality Index. The company received an Out & Equal "Outie" Award for workplace excellence in 2013, and was ranked 2nd on the International Business Equality Index, a survey by the International Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) measuring how international companies are performing on issues related to LGBT community in specific countries around the world in 2012. 

About Workplace Pride Foundation
The Workplace Pride Foundation was founded in 2006 and is the international platform for inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people at work. Its 37 members ** employ more than 2 million people worldwide and share the vision that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders are fully visible, accepted and valued in the workplace and in society, leading the way for others.

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