<p>As we celebrate Pride Month through the month of June, Southern Company is proud to be named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Patrick Scarborough, compliance and technology services manager for Southern Company Services, accepts award from Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.</i></div>
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<p>For the second year in a row, Southern Company was named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), scoring 100 percent on its 2018 Corporate Equality Index.</p>
<p>HRC is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization in the U.S., representing more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.</p>
<p>Patrick Scarborough, compliance and technology services manager for Southern Company Services, has been a member and supporter of HRC for many years. Scarborough recently completed a two-year term on the organization’s board of directors and begins his second term with the same enthusiasm and drive to make meaningful change.</p>
<p>“Scoring 100 percent puts Southern Company in a unique category because it means we are excelling across the board,” Scarborough explained. “Encouraging employees to be exactly who they are in the workplace brings a more engaged and comfortable workforce – and that’s the culture we have here.”</p>
<p>Southern Company is one of over 800 companies that participated in this national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees, and this is the third time the company has earned a perfect score. Companies were rated on detailed criteria in five broad categories: (1) non-discrimination policies, (2) employment benefits, (3) demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion, (4) public commitment to LGBTQ equality and (5) responsible citizenship.</p>
<p>“Southern Company is committed to creating a workplace environment where employees from different backgrounds and perspectives can realize their full potential,” said CEO Tom Fanning. “Diversity and inclusion are embedded in Our Values because we believe they foster better business decisions, new ideas, growth, better vision for the future and the courage to help us all move forward.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hrc.org/resources/best-places-to-work-2018" target="_blank">See full list of Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality >></a><br>
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