United Airlines named top company for LGBT equality

CHICAGO, IL – United Airlines was named one of the “Top Companies for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality” for 2013 by Work Life Matters magazine at an awards gala in New York City on Thursday evening. The annual award is presented to U.S. companies that lead their industries in developing programs and policies that support LGBT employees and promote workplace equality.

“At United, we are committed to supporting the rich diversity of ideas and experiences that reflect all of our customers and co-workers, and we are proud to receive this great recognition,” said Mike Bonds, the airline’s executive vice president for human resources and labor relations. “The unique backgrounds, lifestyles and perspectives of our diverse workforce help us improve the experience for our customers and create innovative solutions to our global business needs.”

United has long supported programs that promote LGBT awareness and inclusion. Earlier this year, the company received the Business Leadership Award from Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy group. United has also been named a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign five years in a row, and scored a 100 percent rating on the organization’s Corporate Equality Index.

While several companies were recognized by Work Life Matters for their LGBT-friendly policies and initiatives, United received the magazine’s top honor for the travel category. “We are pleased to honor each of these leading firms for serving as corporate pioneers by supporting the advancement of LGBT equality within their own organizations, as well as to the community-at-large,” said Lori Sokol, Ph.D., founder and publisher of Work Life Matters.