Springfield, Mass., July 15, 2020 – For the fourth year in a row, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is being recognized as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion,” scoring 100% for the first time. The company previously scored 90% since 2017.
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a prominent benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and America’s top 200 revenue grossing law firms (Am Law 200) to gauge their level of disability workplace inclusion against competitors. The DEI was first launched in 2015 and is acknowledged today as the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool designed and embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates.
“Our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive company does not waver and is not negotiable,” said Lorie Valle-Yañez, head of diversity and inclusion, MassMutual. “We are steadfast in advocating for inclusion, fairness and equity, value people for who they are, and celebrate all diversity. Fostering an inclusive environment for people of all abilities, including for people with disabilities, is one of the ways we live mutual and strengthen our business.”
In 2020, 247 corporations, including 143 Fortune 500 and 154 Fortune 1000 utilized the DEI to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts. The 2020 DEI measured: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; Non-U.S. Operations (Non-Weighted).
So what did MassMutual do over the last year to move its high score of 90% to 100%? The company expanded its online resources and education for employees, refreshed its processes to create a more inclusive recruiting experience for candidates of all abilities, and continued integrating disability inclusion in our virtual and physical spaces.
“The Disability Equality Index top scoring companies represent those businesses that have invested in accessibility and inclusion across their enterprise,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, it is wonderful to see the progress made by these companies, and we hope to see continued progress and support for the DEI over the next 30 years.”
Globally, people with disabilities represent over one billion people. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and we cross lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religion.