IKEA US Receives 100 Percent on 2016 Corporate Equality Index

IKEA US recognized as a progressive company and great place to work in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 14th Annual Scorecard on LGBT Workplace Equality  

(Conshohocken, PA – November 18, 2015) IKEA US announced today that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.

This year, the 2016 CEI report rated 1,027 businesses, evaluating their LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. IKEA US satisfied all of CEI’s criteria resulting in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality. This includes:

• Since 1995, IKEA extended benefits coverage to spouses and domestic partners including health/medical, dental, vision, dependent coverage, COBRA, FMLA, bereavement, relocation/travel assistance, adoption benefits, employee discount, employee-assistance program.
• In 2016, the IKEA medical plan will IKEA include gender reassignment surgery and other services. 

“We are very pleased we have been recognized by the 2016 Corporate Equality Index with a 100 percent perfect score. Our goal is to create a better everyday life for the many people and this starts with our co-workers. With that said, our aim is to integrate diversity and inclusion into our business processes so that it is not a stand-alone initiative; rather, it is an added dimension to our existing daily work practices, while enhancing our business,” commented Lars Petersson, IKEA US President.

In addition to benefits focused on LGBT co-workers and their families, the company strives to contribute to a better life for all co-workers and their families. Here are a few examples:

New Minimum Wage (Effective Jan. 1, 2016)

• In June 2014, IKEA US implemented a new minimum wage structure, basing minimum hourly wages on co-workers’ local living costs (i.e., housing, food, transportation).
  • o   As a result of the new minimum wage structure, IKEA saw a 4% reduction in turnover.
    
    
  • In June 2015, the company announced it would once again raise its minimum hourly wage in existing stores.
    • o   Effective January 1, 2016, the average minimum hourly wage will increase from $10.76 to $11.87, a 10.3% increase. This is $4.62 above the current federal minimum wage. No co-worker will have a minimum hourly wage below $10.00.

Retirement Savings

• IKEA offers a 401K plan and matches a portion of contributions. IKEA offers a 100% match on the first 4% of salary contributed, and a 50% match on the next 2% of salary contributed.
• IKEA invests in their co-workers’ future with annual retirement fund contributions through a program called “Tack!” (Swedish for ‘Thank You’).
  • o   The purpose of Tack! is to show appreciation and gratitude for co-workers’ loyalty and contribution to the success of the business.
  • o   Regardless of rank or position, each full-time US co-worker received $2,530 in 2014.

Health Benefits

• IKEA offers Platinum and Gold level PPO medical plans, vision (at no cost to full time co-workers), dental and prescription coverage to help co-workers and their families stay well. Co-workers who work an average of 20 hours or more weekly are eligible for medical benefits. (74% of IKEA US co-workers)

Work Life Balance

• IKEA US offers generous Paid Time Off benefits.
  • o   Paid time off accrues based on co-workers’ length of service and how many hours they work. Co-workers at IKEA can accrue anywhere from up to 76 hours per year to 272 hours per year.
  • o   All co-workers accrue sick time based on their average amount of hours worked, up to 40 hours per year for full-time co-workers.
  • o   IKEA also offers bereavement leave, jury duty paid time off, and maternity/paternity leave for natural birth and adoption.
  • Currently, IKEA offers retail industry leading scheduling, providing schedules three weeks in advance, more than required by federal legislation. 
    • o   IKEA US is conducting pilots in select markets to find ways to make scheduling even more predictable.
    • Once again, all IKEA US stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so that co-workers can enjoy the day celebrating with family and friends.

Growth & Development

• IKEA offers education assistance for associates, undergraduate, and graduate programs to support co-workers’ development.
• Tuition discounts for IKEA co-workers are available at online universities.

For more information on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

For further information, please contact:

Mona Astra Liss, US Corporate PR Director, Mona.Liss@IKEA.com,

610.834.0180, ext. 5852 

About IKEA Group

The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. There are currently 328 IKEA Group stores in 28 countries. Additionally, there are 40 IKEA stores run by franchises. There are 41 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 15, IKEA Group had 771 million visitors to the stores and 1.9 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, please visit www.IKEA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, www.youtube.com/IKEAUSA, www.theshare-space.com, www.theshare-space.com/en/Blog

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