ExxonMobil, says the Human Rights Campaign, is a big zero. A new report out from HRC, the nation's largest lesbian and gay political organization, scores American companies on how well they are reaching out to their gay and lesbian workforce, and ExxonMobil finds itself at the bottom of the list.According to the report from HRC, companies are scored in handful of areas. For a company to receive a perfect score they must demonstrate that they have policies in place for banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, they must provide partner benefits, offer diversity training, and advertise to the gay community. Several companies that we follow closely on BloggingStocks scored perfect 100's in the report. They include Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL). Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) came in with an 85 score.
As For ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM)... well, the picture isn't so pretty. Exxon managed to be one of only three companies in the report that came in with a score of zero. Why the poor score? The company did not even offer minimal benefits or workplace protection for gay employees. When asked about the report ExxonMobil spokesman Russ Roberts stated that Exxon relied on used the "definition of spouse used in federal legislation, which has the effect of limiting coverage to heterosexual couples," but also added that XOM had in place "written policies [that] prohibit discrimination or harassment for any reason, including sexual orientation." Apparently that wasn't enough to give them any points for good measure. Only two other companies came in with zero scores: Midwestern retailer Meijer Inc. and Plano, Texas-based Perot Systems technology consultants.
While the debate over gay rights will continue to be a tense subject within corporate America, I think one thing is for sure... for American companies to continue to attract the best, most qualified workforce they are going to need to accommodate for the rights for gays and lesbians, most notably in health insurance and partner benefits. Daryl Herrschaft, director of the Human Rights Campaign, says "These policies have become mainstream business practice."
I hope that Exxon takes a good look at the current policies and makes some changes to their current system. Consider this: the first Fortune 500 company to offer health benefits to gay and lesbian workers and partners was Levi Strauss in 1992 and since then over half of the companies have adjusted their policies. I think it is time that ExxonMobil takes a look at the current social trends and makes some changes accordingly, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Michael Fowlkes has worked as a stock trader for 7 years and spent the last 2 years working as an analyst and portfolio manager for an online investment advisory service.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-20-2006 @ 12:45PM
Jim said...
Good for Exxonmobil. Thaey have a simple, clear antidiscrimination policy, not a special rights policy for a select group of people. Ford should learn from them. As for the company finding and retaining competent, talented people I don't think there will be a shortage of them willing to work for EM just because they don't give special privileges to homosexuals.
9-20-2006 @ 12:53PM
Rich said...
It is sad that in this day and age a company could be so out of touch with basic respect towards a very significant segment of the population.
An admitedly discrimatory policy 'ExxonMobil spokesman Russ Roberts stated that Exxon relied on used the "definition of spouse used in federal legislation, which has the effect of limiting coverage to heterosexual couples,"' demonstrates that this oil industry company cares only about pandering to wrong-minded policies that even most Americans do not agree with (54% of Americans support some sort of legal recognition for gay couples--Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey July 6-19, 2006) and (89% should have equal rights in terms of job opportunities--Gallup Poll May 8-11, 2006)[as reported on PollingReport.com]
A company like this does not deserve the support, patronage or investments of any American who values freedom and equality.
They will receive none from me.
9-20-2006 @ 1:21PM
Warren said...
I'm hoping #1 and #3 above are in jest or meant to be sarcastic because otherwise ... how depressing.
9-20-2006 @ 1:49PM
Domenick D'Ercole said...
Good for HRC....I have a sister who is gay and will not buy from Exxon Mobile again. As for special rights....it seems to me that the Gay community doesnt have the special rights.....Jim was probably born into a bigoted family and just doesnt know any better.
9-20-2006 @ 1:50PM
Thomas said...
I personally will purposely purchase from ExxonMobil stations in support of a company that is not willing to "bow down" to the gay community.
9-20-2006 @ 1:55PM
Rich said...
RE: BobRio
What does pumping oil have to do with anyones company benefits? What a silly comment.
People work at companies. They get benifits such as health insurance, vacation, retirement programs. Having the same rights as a straight couple is not special...it is the same.
We hold these truths to be self evident--that all men are created equal.
as far as your last line--the absolute bigotry of it defies comment among civilized people. It is not about sex, It is about equality.
But I am sure you have no problem with a company having your wife/kids (if you are married)getting health benefits, pregnancy leave, time off to go to your kids school for a parent-teacher conference--all special rights for only married people.
Take off your hood, you will be able to see better that way.
9-20-2006 @ 2:10PM
John said...
Good for Mobil.. I respect them.. Gays are not black. Blacks have to show up for work, Black. Gays don't have to skip around the workplace and share or, put stupid rainbows on their cars. They should cancel their health insurance once they know.. AIDS cost the taxpayers too much money ... God Bless Mobil Oil!!!!
9-20-2006 @ 2:21PM
Evan said...
Wow I didn't realize Exxon was so bigoted. Offering gay people insurance for their partners isn't such a big deal. If they are living together and committed to each other (and maybe have children) then why wouldn't a company offer them the same benefits as a straight couple? of course this shouldn't surprise me. As one of the only oil companies still not acknowledging the existence of global warming, it is obvious that the company is run by a bunch of people with their heads in the ground.
i will purposefully make sure not to purchase gas from Exxon ever again.
9-20-2006 @ 3:24PM
edward a chaney said...
im sorry for what this world is comming too. gay and lesbien people are sick in the head and they need sikee actric treatment my bible says if a man lays with a man he will surily die.
9-20-2006 @ 3:29PM
stan wesolowski said...
good for exon mobile
9-20-2006 @ 3:58PM
Art Rossi said...
I wonder what the sexual predilection of the writer of the article is to raise this issue. Why should gays be entitled to any more benefits than heterosexuals who choose to live together? MobilExxon will continue to attract the best and brightest in their fields as long as the people do not make a case regarding their sexual orientation which, basically, is their own business and need not be shared with the world. To cite Levi Strauss, a garment/fashion company located in San Francisco, as an example for other companies to follow is ridiculous. It is like comparing apples and oranges. My hat is off to MobilExxon for establishing and sticking to a firm and unbiased position. Unfortuantely, the Liberal media continues to make an issue out of non-issue topics. Get a life.
9-20-2006 @ 4:07PM
paul said...
I have usually found that the people who agree with these bigots are usually gay themselves, so shut up you closet cases.
9-20-2006 @ 8:15PM
JMP said...
Exxon-Mobil is doing the right thing. The homosexual community is working overtime to intimidate and badger corporations into their agenda. Homosexual people have a choice... they don't HAVE to work for XOM. Sounds like XOM is a solid company with traditional values and beliefs... which is a recipe for success. "hats off to them". Time to buy more of their stock.
9-21-2006 @ 12:46PM
vgsupercote said...
Who cares if what your sexuality is. It is a workplace and please leave your sexuality at home. Being a good worker matters, not being a pervert. You want a raise because you are a gay? Tough luck. You will get a raise if you are a good, reliable person and know your trade well. I am sick and tired of hearing of homo, poly and anything that does not matter at workplace. Way to go Exxon! You are my gas station.
9-21-2006 @ 3:14PM
Nicholas said...
All you anti-gay holier than thou bigots with your out-dated views from the 50s and 60s, and younger ones whose parents ignorantly taught them such views, are the same intolerant bunch of hateful, belligerant backward thinkers that spoke out against blacks in the 60s, and against women in the 70s.
Gays seeking "special rights" is a myth propugated by the Republican party and the Christian Right to rally ever diminishing support for their anti-gay rhetoric and agenda. Lesbians and gays deserve EVERY RIGHT afforded others, and should not be denied benefits or treated as second class citizens strictly because of their sexual orientation, something of which they had no control over. It's 2006 for heaven's sake! The world changes, society progresses, people need to learn to stop hating people who may be different than they are through no choice of their own! We need to be more tolerant and accepting of others, get past this issue, and move forward. Hateful speech and intolerance against lesbians and gays only serves to set us back as a society, a nation, and a leader of the free world. Rich (poster #2 above) said it best, and we should all heed his final words of wisdom..."A company like this (ExxonMobil)does not deserve the support, patronage or investments of any American who values freedom and equality. They will receive none from me."
9-23-2006 @ 9:02PM
Brad Bower said...
Is this serious? How are gays/lesbians asking for any "special rights," when the rights are simply that their significant other is treated equally to hetero couples' significant others, or that their sexual orientation is covered in an existing anti-discrimination policy that already covers age, race, creed, etc? And these comments about gay/lesbian people going "somewhere else" or being obsessed with their sex--this is insanity, or just plain trolling, talking. GLBT individuals just want equal treatment and protection in their WORKplace, where they WORK to LIVE. There's NOTHING too special about that.
And whoever said something about AIDS is just plain ignorant, because HIV and AIDS have no more to do with gay/lesbian folks than straight folks because it's an STD to ALL human beings. Wow.
If I were some of you, I'd think about supporting companies that won't get multi-million dollar lawsuits in the future for discrimination...
10-26-2006 @ 9:30PM
ryan said...
It doesnt matter what you believe in, you were put on this planet as a man or a woman, you were born one way! This is called "natural," don't fight nature just because you want to be different. Why do you have to go against the natarul grain? (maybe you will get what you want in another time and place)If nature meant for us to be asexual we would have been!!!!
1-09-2007 @ 6:53AM
Bob Rio said...
Hats off to Mobil. What has gay & lesbian rights got to do with pumping, shipping & refinning oil that's needed all over the world. Why do theses gay and lesbians insist on throwing their sexual orientation at everybody else. There are to many more important issues in life. I for one am sick of hearing their complaints and hope they would all just go somewhere else and build their own place to focus all their energies on sex. Good bye