Sodexo Earns Recognition as One of America's "Best-of-the-Best" Companies for Diversity by National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced recognition today by The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, in collaboration with its partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC). Sodexo was named to NGLCC's inaugural Best-of-the-Best list of corporations in America committed to diversity and inclusion across all community sectors. The announcement was made last week at the inaugural Best-of-the-Best Awards Gala held at The National Portrait Gallery at The Smithsonian American Art Museum.

"The Best-of-the-Best designation is the top corporate honor bestowed for commitments to America's diverse employees and business owners, which include LGBT, people of color, women, and people with disabilities. This designation is not easily earned, making it all the more prized," said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. "By recognizing these industry leaders and the policymakers who collaborate with them as the Best-of-the-Best, we are creating a better future for all diverse communities in business. Together we reaffirm our common, ongoing mission to improve business inclusion among Fortune 500 corporations and government agencies nationwide."

Among its many industry-leading efforts, Sodexo provides equivalent spousal and same-sex partner benefits, offers medical coverage for gender affirmation surgery and recognizes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in its Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. The company also sponsors an LGBT employee business resource group and actively engages LGBT-certified vendors as part of its supplier diversity program. In addition, Sodexo continues to develop its managers to be more inclusive through innovative, award-winning resources like the LGBT Conversation Guide.

Only companies achieving industry leading results across all diverse segments are eligible to receive the prestigious Best-of-the-Best designation from the NBIC, a coalition of national diverse business organizations spearheaded by NGLCC and including Women's Business Enterprise National Council, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, National Black Justice Coalition, U.S. Business Leadership Network and WEConnect International. NGLCC formed the National Business Inclusion Consortium in 2011, and its members represent a total of over $8 trillion in annual consumer spending power and significant contributions to the marketplace and workplace.

Criteria required to be named a Best-of-the-Best corporation includes the completion of a detailed survey of an organization's inclusive programs, which may involve Supplier Diversity initiatives, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and workplace engagement opportunities, and diverse marketplace and community engagements. Additionally, a detailed report of policies and achievements in the diversity and inclusion space--along with recognition or ratings such as the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, the U.S. Business Leadership Network's Disability Equality Index, or Diversity Inc.'s Top 50— is weighted and reviewed by a committee of NBIC leaders.

2016 NBIC Program or Initiative of the Year:

TIAA Contingent Worker Diversity Program

2016 NBIC Best-of-the-Best Top 30 Corporations for Inclusion:

American AirlinesAT&TBank of AmericaBristol-Myers SquibbCapital OneChevronComcast|NBCUniversalCorningCumminsCVS HealthFidelity InvestmentsFreddie MacGeneral MotorsJPMorgan Chase & Co.KelloggKPMGMarriott InternationalMerckMorgan StanleyNationwideNew York Life Insurance CompanyNorthrop GrummanPacific Gas & Electric CompanyPNC Financial Services GroupPrudentialSodexoTD Bank GroupTIAAUPSWells Fargo

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The global Fortune 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about the company at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.

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