RESTON, Va. ? 09/19/2006 For the second consecutive year, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) has received a perfect 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign's annual Corporate Equality Index. The 2006 report, released today, rated 446 major U.S. companies from a broad spectrum of industries on how they treat gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors.
"Inclusion and diversity are core values at Sprint Nextel ? critical to our success in both the marketplace and the workplace," said Ralph Reid, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Sprint Nextel. "By ensuring that we've approached all aspects of our business with an inclusive mindset, we?re able to market to a broad range of customers and attract and retain a creative workforce with a diverse set of backgrounds and ideas. We are proud of the work our employees have done in this area, and we thank the Human Rights Campaign for this recognition."
The Corporate Equality Index rates companies on a number of external and internal factors such as marketing and advertising, non-discrimination policies, and diversity management and training. Results are reported based on both company and industry. From an industry perspective, the 2006 Corporate Equality Index ranked 12 companies in the Telecommunications category. The average score within this group was 79%, and Sprint Nextel was one of only three Telecommunications company to receive a perfect 100% score.
"This year, more major American businesses received a perfect rating for equality and fairness than in any other year," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "At an ever increasing pace, corporate executives understand that supporting their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees is not only the right thing to do but it is also good for business. The findings in this years? report send a clear message that the American workplace is rapidly becoming more inclusive of diversity."
Sprint Nextel has been widely recognized for its commitment to inclusion and diversity. In addition to the 2005 and 2006 Human Rights Campaign rankings, Sprint Nextel also has received recent diversity-focused recognition from Black MBA Magazine, DiversityBusiness.com, DiversityInc, Hispanic Magazine, Hispanic Network Magazine, the Kansas City Asian American Chamber of Commerce, the Minority Business and Professional Network, the Northern Virginia Urban League and PR News. A complete list of 2006 Sprint Nextel awards is available at sprint.com/awards.