[NEWS RELEASE] TOP FLORIDA EMPLOYERS URGE LEGISLATURE TO PASS FLORIDA COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE ACT

(January 13, 2014) - Today a group of some of Florida’s largest employers launched the Florida Business Coalition for a Competitive Workforce, aimed at passing a bipartisan bill that would ban anti-gay and gender-based discrimination.

STATEMENT FROM EQUALITY FLORIDA

“We are proud to see so many of Florida’s largest employers taking a stand to encourage the legislature to pass the Competitive Workforce Act.  Increasingly we hear from companies that are contemplating relocation or expansion, and they want reassurance that their diverse work force will be able to live in a state where they and their families will be treated fairly.   The corporate culture understands that top talent looks not only at a company’s internal policies, but also at the community they will call home.”   Nadine Smith, CEO, Equality Florida

The Competitive Workforce Act (HB 239/SB 348) would modernize state law to include anti-discrimination protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.  

The legislation, which is sponsored in the House by Representatives Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) and Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) and by Senator Joe Abruzzo (D-Wellington) in the Senate, aims to grow the economy by attracting and retaining the best workers to Florida with the promise of equal opportunity employment.

Since recruiting and retaining talent is critical to our long-term business success,  Coalition members understand that Florida employers must attract qualified and diverse applicants who reflect the diverse population of the state. The link between strong anti-discrimination laws and the ability to draw the best and the brightest is the reason that 84% of the nation’s largest companies have adopted comprehensive anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity.*

The Coalition believes that the Florida Competitive Workforce Act will make Florida more competitive in the national and global marketplace in much the same way companies have benefited from adopting anti-discrimination policies. The Coalition looks forward to working with other companies, business advocates and legislative leadership to support the Florida Competitive Workforce Act.  

* Of the Fortune 500 companies that have responded to the 2014 HRC Corporate Equality Index, 84% inlude protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Equality Florida Media Contacts:

Nadine Smith [email protected]

Sharon Kersten, Kersten Communications 954.314.7288 [email protected]