The Human Rights Campaign has released its annual Corporate Equality Index which rates corporations based on their policies toward LGBTQ employees. Most of Minnesota’s largest corporations fared well on the index.

Scoring a perfect 100 on the index for at least the second year in a row were: 3M Co, Ameriprise Financial Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc, Cargill Inc., Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Ecolab Inc, General Mills Inc., Hormel Foods Corp, Land O’Lakes Inc., Lindquist & Vennum LLP, Medtronic PLC, RBC Wealth Management, Robins Kaplan LLP, Target Corp., and U.S. Bancorp.

Three companies improved their scores over 2015.
Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America increased from 85 points to 100 points, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota increased from 95 to 100, and Xcel Energy Inc went from 90 to 100 points.

Scoring less than 100 were:
UnitedHealth Group Inc (95)
St. Jude Medical Inc (95)
Carlson Inc. (95)
Fredrikson & Byron (95)
Caribou Coffee Company Inc. (85)
Thrivent Financial (85)
Mosaic Co. (85)
Supervalu Inc. (80)
Imation Corp (60)
Patterson Companies (Patterson Dental Supply) (60)
C. H. Robinson Worldwide (20)
CHS Inc. (20)

Two companies that scored 100 on the index, but fell short in the past, released statements about their inclusion in the top tier of corporations.

“At Xcel Energy, we are committed to our corporate values, including that of promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion and treating all people with respect,” said Darla Figoli, senior vice president, human resources and employee services, Xcel Energy. “We are dedicated to developing a work environment where employees feel valued and one which allows us to attract and retain the best and brightest talent.”

“Blue Cross is proud to have again achieved a 100 percent rating on the Corporate Equality Index,” said Paula Phillippe, senior vice president of human resources and external relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Achieving this high standard is important in sustaining a talented workforce in Minnesota and showing the company’s commitment to promote an inclusive workplace for all employees.”

While the index has been seen as a gold standard of an inclusive workplace by corporations, the index has faced criticism from many quarters. Part of the criticism comes from HRC’s decision not to factor in union-busting efforts of the companies on the index, nor a look at how these multinational corporations differ in the LGBT policies they implement — or fail to implement — outside the U.S.