In recognition of our support of workplace equality on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees around the world, the Out & Equal Workplace Advocate Awards named Dow (NYSE: DOW) as the recipient of its 2013 Workplace Excellence award in Minneapolis, Minnesota at a ceremony on October 31.

The recognition is presented to an employer that has ongoing commitment to workplace equality, demonstrated by unquestioned leadership, dedication and innovation on behalf of LGBT employees everywhere. Dow's historic and long held focus on improving workplace equality began more than a decade ago when it formed the Chemical industry's first LGBT employee resource group GLAD (Gays, Lesbians & Allies at Dow). 

Accepting the award on Dow's behalf, Howard Ungerleider, Dow Executive Vice President and executive sponsor GLAD said, "We are proud and honored recipients of this recognition.  Respect for all people is core to Dow's value system and to enabling EVERY employee to feel they are able to reach their full potential.  Dow's deeply held values of integrity and respect for people are evidenced by our commitment to driving a culture of diversity and inclusion, which is critical to our success, integral to our strategy -- and the right thing to do."

Earlier in the day Ungerleider, a finalist for the 2013 Out & Equal Champion Award, participated in a featured panel discussion on "Successful Executive Sponsors" during the 2013 Out & Equal Summit. He shared perspectives on the business case for diversity and inclusion and discussed how executive sponsors are critical to the success of employee resource groups and to setting the tone from the top of an organization.

"A diverse company is a source of tremendous advantage, accelerating results and fueling innovation," said Ungerleider.  "The largest contribution that employee resource groups make to an organization is that they invite individuals who may feel outside of the mainstream to the center - giving them an opportunity to build a larger network, gain a louder voice, and attract support and connections necessary to advance career success."

As one of seven diversity networks at Dow, GLAD has been a vocal champion for a fully inclusive workplace for more than 12 years.   The network comprises nearly 20 chapters with more than 1,700 participants at 66 Dow sites across 26 countries around the world including 33 percent of global leaders, and more than 75 percent allies.  GLAD's charter is to create and foster a safe, inclusive, supportive and open working environment for all employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification, and to transform Dow's culture such that sexual orientation is irrelevant, helping to eliminate stigmas and stereotypes of the LGBT community and demonstrate zero tolerance for discriminatory behaviors.  Just last year, participation in GLAD's network surpassed the collective growth of the previous 11 years of the group's existence at Dow, making the LGBT employee resource group the largest of the diversity networks for the first time.

Proudly joining the 2010 Significant Achievement recognition, the 2013 award is a further acknowledgement of the company's national and international recognition for its LGBT policies including:

Out & Equal is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. that champions safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. 

  • A Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index Rating of 100% for nine consecutive years. 
  • Instituting (in the non-discrimination policy) employee protections based on gender identity (2007); as well as supporting and achieving transgender surgeries benefits (2010).
  • Placing 2nd in the 2011 IGLCC International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) survey measuring how international companies are performing in issues related to the LGBT community in specific countries around the world.
  • Gaining national recognition regarding its policies and practices which have resulted in Dow speaking on Capitol Hill on three separate occasions in support of LGBT policies/framework, sponsoring and leading lobbying activities in the U.S. to bring fairness and equal treatment to all LGBT citizens - not just for Dow employees.
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