Global professional services company Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW) today announced it received a perfect score of 100% for the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, America’s largest civil rights organization, administered the index. Towers Watson joins the ranks of 366 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“Towers Watson is honored to be recognized for our commitment to LGBT equality and fairness in the workplace,” said John Haley, CEO of Towers Watson. “We take great pride in developing a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive, empowering environment for all of our associates. It’s an integral part of our core values. This recognition substantiates our culture of respect for our talented and diverse workforce of 15,000 associates worldwide.”

"In order to achieve a perfect score, a company has to show a deep and serious commitment to treating their LGBT employees fairly and equally on the job,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “We also look at whether a company is speaking out in the public square to advocate for LGBT equality here in this country and around the world. Towers Watson not only meets these standards, it goes above and beyond the call of duty, making commitment to equality a fundamental aspect of its corporate values."

The rating criteria for the Corporate Equality Index reflect evolving best practices for improving the work experiences of LGBT employees. The 2015 Corporate Equality Index rated 971 businesses in the report, on policies including nondiscrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community. Towers Watson’s efforts in satisfying all of the criteria resulted in a 100% ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

“We are extremely proud to have received this recognition in our first year of submitting to the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index,” said Carl Hess, managing director of the Americas and executive sponsor for Out@TW, Towers Watson’s resource community for LGBT associates and allies. “Our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity enables us to create more innovative ideas and solutions for our clients, as well as provide an inspiring environment for our associates. We are honored to be designated as a best place to work for LGBT equality.”

For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, the HRC Foundation strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About Towers Watson

Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW) is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. With 15,000 associates around the world, the company offers consulting, technology and solutions in the areas of benefits, talent management, rewards, and risk and capital management. Learn more at towerswatson.com.