Discover Earns Top Marks on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

Discover has once again been named as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality on the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual 2015 Corporate Equality Index. For the second year in a row, Discover earned a perfect score of 100 in the report for advancing corporate practices, policies and benefits related to LGBT employees.

“Discover’s perfect score reinforces the value we place on our employees’ well-being and our emphasis on developing a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion,” said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive of Discover. “Supporting initiatives that provide a deeper understanding of diversity within our company not only help others learn from our differences but contribute to Discover’s overall business priorities.”

One of Discover’s initiatives is the creation of Employee Resource Groups made up of employees with common cultural and business interests that help further the company’s goals and provide opportunities for personal and professional development. The groups are sponsored by members of the Executive Committee and guided by the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. One of the company’s first groups, known as PRIDE, supports LGBT employees.

“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. 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,” said Chad Griffin, president of Human Rights Campaign. “Discover Financial Services 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.”

Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) provides an in-depth analysis and rating of U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Ratings are determined by the number of criteria that are met by each company, such as employment benefits and non-discrimination policies. Businesses that achieve a rating of 100 percent in the report are recognized as “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”

A total of 972 businesses have been rated in the 2015 CEI. This year, 364 major businesses — spanning nearly every industry and geography — earned a top score of 100. Over the past 13 years, the CEI has become the gold standard for corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees and their families.

For more information about Discover’s corporate responsibility and benefits, visit www.discover.com/company/corporate-responsibility/.

For more information on the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual 2015 Corporate Equality Index and to view the full report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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 Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.