Including gender identity or expression in anti-discrimination policies is common among Memphis-area employers

FedEx is the largest employer in
Memphis to protect workers
from discrimination based
on gender identity.

Tennessee Equality Project and other allies in the community call on the Memphis City Council to amend the proposed non-discrimination ordinance one more time to add gender identity or expression. These additional non-merit factors are also included in the anti-discrimination policies of several Memphis-area employers. 

The number of Fortune 500 companies and other employers that include gender identity or expression in the anti-discrimination policies increases each year. 80% of CEI-rated employers provide employment protections on the basis of gender identity or expression — the highest figure to date. The proportion of employers offering these protections has increased dramatically since the first CEI 2002 when just 5 percent of rated businesses included gender identity in their non-discrimination policies. Now eight in ten rated businesses afford workplace protections on the basis of gender identity.

This list of employers comes from HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI), company websites, and reliable employees of  these companies. A large number of Memphis-area companies include gender identity or expression in employment non-discrimination policies (this list is not exhaustive): 

AFLAC; AT&T; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC; Bank of America; Best Buy; Burger King; Caesar’s Entertainment; Cargill; Coca-Cola; Comcast; Costco; Delloitte & Touche; Delta Airlines; Ernst & Young; Family Dollar Store;  FedEx; First Horizon National; Harrah’s Entertainment; Hilton Hotel; Home Depot; Humana; Hyatt Hotels; J.C. Penny; Kellogg; Kroger; Macy’s; Marriott; Medtronic; Merck; Nike; Office Depot; OfficeMax; Pepsi Beverages Co.; PetSmart; Pfizer; Raymond James; Sears; ServiceMaster; Staples; Starbucks; State Farm; SunTrust Banks; Target; UnitedHealth Group; Wachovia Bank; Walgreens; Whole Foods Market; Wells Fargo Bank; Wal-Mart; Williams-Sonoma; and United Parcel Service.

In addition, most employees of Federal Government agencies are also protected from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. See http://www.opm.gov/diversity/Transgender/Guidance.asp for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management  policy guidance regarding the employment of transgender individuals in the Federal workplace. Some of the Federal Agencies that protect their transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace include the US Postal Service, the Social Security Administration, the IRS, Secret Service, the FBI, and the VA Hospital . 

It's hard to drive through any part of the City of Memphis without running across an employer that offers LGBT-inclusive workplace protections. The City of Memphis would be in good company to add these protections to its employment non-discrimination ordinance.

- Jonathan Cole

Nike, Inc supports level playing field in Memphis

Today, the Tennessee Equality Project learned of Nike, Inc.'s endorsement of the Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance sponsored by Councilwoman Janis Fullilove.

In an August 9 letter addressed to Memphis City Council Chairman Harold Collins, Nike urged him and his fellow council members:

to support the proposed amendments to the Memphis Non-Discrimination Ordinance which will be debated before your council in the coming days. By supporting this measure, you will support the conviction that every American deserves a chance to compete and prosper on a level playing field.

The letter continues:

At Nike we believe that diversity and inclusion is about respecting our differences, leveraging our strengths and maximizing opportunity for everyone. Nike is passionately supportive of its employees, respectful of our consumers and committed to equality for our athletes. As a result, these values make us a better company and more competitive in our industry.

Nike is one of many Fortune 500 companies with a presence in Memphis that offer LGBT-inclusive workplace protections, such as FedEx, United Parcel Service, AT&T, Medtronic, Sears, Costco, First Horizon National, Macy's, and Walgreens.

The City of Memphis will be in good company when it approves legislation that specifically protects the rights of gay, lesbian, bi, straight and transgender employees at the third reading of the ordinance on September 14.