Replacements, Ltd. again recognized nationally for workplace ethics

Company continues to lead push for workplace equality

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, has again awarded Replacements, Ltd. with a perfect score on the HRC’s 2008 Corporate Equality Index. The index rates how major American companies treat GLBT employees, consumers and investors. Ratings are based on factors such as non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees.  

Today’s announcement comes just weeks before Congress is expected to consider the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Replacements’ work in support of this effort began more than a decade ago when it adopted groundbreaking GLBT policies. The company is a member of two business coalitions supporting this federal legislation and it supports efforts to educate the public about federal, state and local workplace rights for GLBT employees. As is true of the federal government, North Carolina does not have laws protecting workers against discrimination based on sexual orientation in either public or private sector jobs.

“Corporate America, and not the government, has led the way in creating workplaces where employees are evaluated based on performance and work results rather than on sexual orientation, gender identity or other irrelevant issues,” said Replacements Ltd. founder and CEO Bob Page. “And while larger employers have embraced establishing GLBT inclusive polices, many smaller organizations still look to the government to set employment policies. Unfortunately, the message from both our federal and state governments is that it is perfectly acceptable to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe that’s wrong.”

“Passing this legislation is the right thing to do for our economy and for our country,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce. More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

An unprecedented 195 major U.S. businesses earned perfect scores on this year’s index, a 41 percent increase over last year. Replacements is one of only 11 companies that has achieved a 100 percent ranking every year since the HRC started its index in 2002. Others include Nike, Apple Computer, Eastman Kodak and J.P. Morgan Chase.

About Replacements, Ltd.

Founded by Bob Page in 1981, Replacements, Ltd. carries the world’s largest selection of old and new china, crystal, silver, and collectibles. Their 415,800 square foot facilities house an inventory of over 273,000 patterns.  Headquartered in Greensboro, NC, Replacements, Ltd. serves more than eight million customers worldwide.

Media Contact:
Lisa Conklin, Public Relations Manager
(800) 737-5223 ext. 2552
(336) 209-0951 mobile
lisa.conklin@replacements.com