Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) today announced that the company has earned a perfect score of 100 percent and the honor of “Best Places to Work” for its commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive work environment for people with disabilities, according to the 2016 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a joint initiative between the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The achievement signifies Lincoln’s continued commitment to being inclusive and accessible in the workplace, the marketplace and the community.
The DEI evaluates whether companies have practices in place to promote equal opportunity employment, embrace diversity, encourage people with disabilities to be themselves and have comprehensive policies in place to assist people with disabilities. This year, 83 participating Fortune 1000 companies were rigorously evaluated in four major categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices and community engagement and support.
“This top score for Lincoln further affirms our commitment to being a leading organization for disability inclusion practices,” said Allison Green, senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Lincoln Financial Group. “Our employees’ unique backgrounds and skills have a positive impact on the company as a whole and are essential to meeting and exceeding our company goals. By being representative of the diverse markets we serve, we can better understand and serve their needs.”
“As we approach the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and celebrate our achievements, we also recommit ourselves to ensuring all Americans with disabilities are able to build vibrant futures for themselves and their families, and the DEI can help make that happen," said Helena Berger, President and CEO, AAPD. "The DEI is an effective, non-punitive tool -- as demonstrated by the many returning companies who maintained or increased their score -- that builds a partnership between the disability and business communities to ultimately expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and embrace the talents and skills we bring to the workplace."
By receiving a top score on the DEI, companies demonstrate significant business leadership, going far beyond compliance activities, driving their business success through leading disability inclusion policies and practices.
About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $228 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. To sign up for email alerts, please visit our Newsroom at http://newsroom.lfg.com.
About the Disability Equality Index
The DEI is a joint initiative of the USBLN and AAPD. Developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts and disability advocates, the DEI is a national, transparent, annual benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive an objective assessment of their overall disability inclusion policies and practices. It is an aspirational, educational, recognition tool that goes far beyond legal compliance, helping companies identify opportunities for continued improvement, while building their reputations as organizations that value diversity and inclusion.
