Bayer Earns Top Score in 2022 Corporate Equality Index for Fifth Consecutive Year

January 27, 2022

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Bayer obtains a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality

WHIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the fifth consecutive year, Bayer U.S. has obtained a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

"As we continue to build an inclusive, world-class culture and organization, we are immensely proud to earn this important distinction for a fifth consecutive year from the HRC," said Patrick Lockwood-Taylor, President of Bayer U.S. "We all know that to succeed, organizations must cultivate and sustain a culture of diversity, inclusivity and equity. But, it's more than that - embracing each of our employee's unique identities is simply the right thing to do, and is something we are wholly committed to continuing and strengthening today and beyond."

Through meaningful actions and achievements, Bayer has continued to foster this inclusive, diverse, and equitable work culture for its thousands of employees and communities the company serves. Bayer offers equal benefits, resource groups, interactive workshops, allyship dialogues, and education for all. One of these resource groups, BLEND, focuses on the lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual and transgender community and ensures LGBT+ people and allies are continually supported and impacted.

This year alone, employee members of BLEND have driven the implementation of an updated U.S. Gender Transition Policy for the company, led dozens of employee LGBT+ education events, and consulted on company marketing activations such as Bayer brand Midol's inclusive national campaign which showcased how periods don't discriminate and support for people with periods. The group has also championed facility updates that acknowledge gender expansive employees and participated in LGBT+ career fairs, conferences, and social media campaigns like National Pride Day and more.

"Behind Bayer's 100% rating on HRC's CEI are hundreds of Bayer LGBTQ+ employees and their allies whose contributions are being recognized - and needs being met," say Frankie Stubbins and Jennifer Cogley, BLEND's U.S. co-leads for Bayer. "Leadership support makes it possible for members of the LGBTQ+ community to contribute their passion and brilliance to making world class medicines, creating sustainable farming practices and meeting the needs of our consumers looking for selfcare solutions. Bayer's work to constantly advance the inclusivity of our culture ultimately means that our customers benefit by having access to the full range of talent in our communities."

The results of the 2022 CEI showcase how 1,271 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but also for the 56% of CEI-rated companies with global operations who are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Bayer's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.

"When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers-from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns-could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically," said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. "We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere. Congratulations to Bayer for achieving the title of 'best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality' and working to advance inclusion in the workplace."

The CEI rates employers providing these crucial protections to over 20 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million abroad. Companies rated in the CEI include Fortune magazine's 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine's top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
• Corporate social responsibility.

The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

Social Media Channels

- Facebook: BayerUnitedStates

- Twitter: BayerUS

- Instagram: BayerUS

- YouTube: BayerUS

Bayer® and the Bayer Cross® are registered trademarks of Bayer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220127005087/en/

Nicole Hayes
201-421-5268
[email protected]

Source: Bayer

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