Franklin Templeton Earns Top Marks in 2019 Corporate Equality Index

SAN MATEO, Calif., April 3, 2019 /3BL Media/- Franklin Templeton is pleased to announce it has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Franklin Templeton joins the ranks of 571 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

“Time and again, leading American businesses have shown that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The top-scoring companies on this year’s CEI are not only establishing policies that affirm and include employees here in the United States, they are applying these policies to their global operations and impacting millions of people beyond our shores.”

Jenny Johnson, President and Chief Operating Officer at Franklin Templeton, commented, “We are honored to be recognized, for the third year in a row, with the top score by the Human Rights Campaign. At Franklin Templeton, fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity is a priority, and our respect for individuals bringing their whole selves to the workplace guides how we communicate, work and learn together. We value the unique experiences of our employees and the talent and ideas they bring as individuals. This inclusive environment inspires innovation and enables us to reach for better.”

The 2019 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Franklin Templeton’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria have resulted in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton. Franklin Templeton’s goal is to deliver better outcomes by providing global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 170 countries. Through specialized teams, the Company has expertise across all asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternatives and custom multi-asset solutions. The Company’s more than 600 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With employees in over 30 countries, the California-based company has more than 70 years of investment experience and over $649 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2018. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com