• by Ray Schultz , December 4, 2023

Gannnett has not had an easy time trying to achieve diversity in its newsrooms—for instance, it has been hit with a  class action suit by employees who claim they were discriminated against because they were not minorities.  

But the company has received one piece of recognition: a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking survey that measures corporate practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. 

Gannett, which is one of 543 major U.S. businesses to achieve a perfect score, has made the top list for the sixth consecutive year.  

“Fostering an inclusive and diverse culture is of the upmost importance at Gannett and this distinction acknowledges our unwavering commitment,” says Michael Reed, Gannett chairman and chief executive officer. 

“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.  

The survey has for two decades played a role in fostering LGBTQ+ equality.  

“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,” says RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, CEI Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Workplace Equality.