How Can Firms Meet the Training Requirements of the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index?
Large law firms across the United States aspire to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI evaluates firms (and other large businesses) on a variety of criteria that demonstrate their commitment to be a corporate ally for LGBTQ+ inclusion. More than 842 large law firms and other businesses were recognized in the December 2023 CEI rankings.
In April of each year, HRC reaches out to more than 1,500 businesses- including the AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firms – and invites them to participate in the annual survey process, with responses due annually in July.
To rank on the Corporate Equality Index, firms must meet a variety of specific criteria – including several criteria related to effective training of their personnel. HRC’s Criteria #3 addresses training requirements specifically, as follows:
LGBTQ+ Internal Training and Accountability
Businesses must demonstrate a firm-wide, sustained and accountable commitment to diversity and cultural competency, including at least four of the following elements:
New hire training clearly states that the nondiscrimination policy includes gender identity and sexual orientation and provides definitions or scenarios illustrating the policy for each
Supervisors undergo training that includes gender identity and sexual orientation as discrete topics (may be part of a broader training), and provides definitions or scenarios illustrating the policy for each
Integration of gender identity and sexual orientation in professional development, skills-based or other leadership training that includes elements of diversity and/or cultural competency
Senior management/executive performance measures include LGBTQ+ diversity metrics
Integration of intersectionality in professional development, skills-based, or other training (required for credit)
Law firms looking to meet these requirements can leverage SkillBurst Interactive’s on-demand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Series, designed specifically for law firms. These short on-demand courses address gender identity, sexual orientation, and intersectionality – and can be used with new hires and supervisors alike. The courses are fully customizable as well, so they can embed information about your firm’s nondiscrimination policies or be tailored further to align perfectly with your culture, programs, and initiatives.
To meet the requirements of the Corporate Equality Index, we recommend the use of two specific courses in the DEI series:
Fundamentals of Inclusion (12 minutes)
Understanding Sex, Gender, and Identity (12 minutes)
The full DEI series includes:
Fundamentals of Inclusion (12 minutes)
Understanding Sex, Gender, and Identity (12 minutes)
Unconscious Bias (Part 1) (10 minutes)
Unconscious Bias (Part 2) (8 minutes)
Understanding and Combatting Microaggressions (15 minutes)
Inclusive Leadership – It Starts with You (12 minutes)*
Inclusive Leadership – Tweaking Your Day-to-Day Processes (15 minutes)*
Inclusive Leadership – Addressing Non-Inclusive Behaviors (11 minutes)*
Inclusive Communications – Elevating Your Listening Skills (10 minutes)
*includes separate lawyer and staff versions
Request a call and/or preview access today to learn more.