For the ninth consecutive year, Choice Hotels International, Inc. earned the distinction as one of the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.” The company once again achieved a perfect 100 score on the HRC 2019 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmark that ranks companies on LGBTQ-friendly corporate policies and practices.
“Choice Hotels is committed to cultivating an engaged, diverse workforce that always feels welcome, wanted, and respected through our professional development programs and employee resource groups,” said Patrick Cimerola, chief human resources officer, Choice Hotels. “A top priority for Choice year after year is maintaining that devotion, which supports creativity and innovation among our associates and creates an overall inclusive environment.”
As part of the Corporate Equality Index, Choice Hotels was rated on a series of criteria involving corporate policies, benefits and practices affecting the LGBTQ workforce and their families. To earn a perfect score and achieve the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” Choice demonstrated equal employment opportunities and benefits, organizational LGBTQ awareness and advocacy, and an overall commitment to equality.
The company’s long-time commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion is driven at the top of the organization and extends to every facet of the company. Choice Hotels supports nine different employee resource groups to facilitate engagement among associates and shape the company’s culture and values. As an example of its commitment, Choice has a dedicated emerging markets development team with a mission to maintain and grow a diverse franchisee base that includes minorities and veterans.