American Family named LGBTQ Best Place to Work four years and running

When Coco Chaussee became an American Family Insurance employee four years ago, one of the first things she did was join the company’s LGBT+ Allies Business Resource Group (BRG). While working as a contract project manager at the company for nine years, Chaussee, a lesbian, appreciated the company’s inclusive culture. She was thrilled to officially join a group that’s so important to her personally and professionally.

“I always knew about and valued the company’s support of the LGBT community,” Chaussee said.

Then came a moment when she felt LGBT rights could be threatened. At American Family, she was given certainty about the company’s commitment to LGBT employees. Chaussee realized just what this support meant to her.

“The BRG organized a meeting to assure concerned employees that their rights would be protected and respected at the company,” Chaussee said.

That commitment to her inspired her to become even more involved.

“The willingness of the company to support us the way they did made me want to do more,” she said.

At the end of 2018, Chaussee accepted a two-year term as co-lead of the BRG, meaning she’ll be a steward for the group as it works with the business to champion diversity and inclusion on all levels.

Inclusive culture affirmed by Human Rights Campaign, Forbes
Chaussee’s experience was affirmed when the company was named one of the best workplaces for LGBTQ equality, announced today.

American Family’s perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking report on LGBTQ workplace equality, is the company’s fourth consecutive top score. The 2019 CEI rated businesses in the report based on policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, parity in spousal and partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community.

Also this year, American Family Insurance moved up four spots from last year to 225 of the top 500 companies ranked on the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity. The Forbes ranking is based on feedback from at least 100 employees at companies with more than 1,000 people, regarding numerous facets of diversity at the companies. Other factors, such as the number of women on a company’s board of directors, the existence of a designated department or leaders responsible for diversity programs, and having communications about diversity also impacted the ranking.

“We’re proud of these recognitions, but our work continues,” said Tyler Whipple, diversity and inclusion director. “It’s more important than ever that all our employees feel welcome and included. We are committed to creating a workplace where diversity is embraced, everyone feels a sense of belonging and employees can do their best work on behalf of our customers.”

For more information on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

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About American Family Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance group is the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 311 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, primarily through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the internet or by phone. Affiliate Main Street America sells insurance products through independent agents. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam.

About The Human Rights Campaign
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.