VF, Caleres, Abercrombie, Levi’s Receive Perfect Marks from Human Rights Campaign
Vans, The North Face and Timberland parent VF Corp. scored perfect marks from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation for its efforts to promote LGBTQ+ workplace equality last year.
The Denver-based company received a score of 100 on the nonprofit’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the seventh year running. The benchmarking survey and report measures the impact of corporate policies and protocols around inclusivity and equity related to gender and sexuality.
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“At VF, we envision an organization where everyone can be celebrated for their uniqueness and feel like they belong,” said Lauren Guthrie, vice president of global inclusion, diversity, equity and action (IDEA) and talent development.
VF Corp. was among 545 major U.S. businesses to receive a perfect score in 2023, out of 1,394 that participated, along with Nordstrom, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Caleres, Etsy, Walmart and Levi Strauss & Co. “We are honored to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to our LGBTQ+ associates and be among these leading businesses,” Guthrie said.
“It’s rewarding to see our inclusive culture recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for the seventeenth consecutive year,” Abercrombie & Fitch Co. CEO Fran Horowitz added. “We aim to create a welcoming environment that embraces our customers and associates in the LGBTQ+ community, and we are proud to continue these efforts year after year.”
Caleres president and CEO Jay Schmidt said the company was proud to be recognized for creating an equitable workplace for its associates. “Inclusive benefits, diversity training for all associates, and support of LGBTQIA+ organizations are just a part of our ongoing commitment,” he added. “We will continue to ensure an environment that recognizes every Associate and gives them the opportunity to thrive.”
HRC rated mid- to large-sized businesses with 500 or more full-time employees based on the non-discrimination policies they support, the equitable benefits they provide to LGBTQ+ workers and families, and how they foster an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility strategy.
VF Corp. has championed programs and initiatives that underscore a commitment to equality, the company said. For example, The North Face Explore Fund has fostered grants for groups like OutdoorLads, Arcigay, Gay Outdoor Club, Le Gloss, Queer Nature, Brave Trails and YouthSeen, which are dedicated to driving access and equity for the LGBTQ+ community in the outdoor arena. Meanwhile, Vans debuted an Off The Wall Pride Gallery Collection made up of products designed by LGBTQ+ artists in 2022, and donated $200,000 to three LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Sock brand Smartwool was the presenting sponsor of the Denver Pride 5K last year.
“For well over two decades, businesses have played an important role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and voices when it comes to workplace inclusion,” HRC senior director of workplace equality RaShawn Hawkins said. “While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion.”
Launched in 2002, the first CEI saw just 319 businesses participate, and has grown by more than 333 percent. HRC said businesses have been ramping up their efforts to promote equality in the workplace, with a record 1,340 of those surveyed last year saying they have explicit non-discrimination protections in place for gender identity. Just 17 said the same when the survey started 22 years ago. These protections cover about 21 million employees worldwide. Calling the report an “ever-evolving tool,” Hawkins said it should serve as a blueprint for companies looking to support their LGBTQ+ workforces.
“Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical violence,” she added.
