This month's shareholder advocacy spotlight is on J.B. Hunt Transport Services, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest transportation logistics company in North America.
A 2014 study by the Human Rights Campaign found that 61% of Fortune 500 companies prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In the same year, an amendment was made to an existing Executive Order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against gender identity or sexual orientation. While issuing this executive order, President Obama stated, "equality in the workplace is not only the right thing to do, it turns out to be good business. That’s why a majority of Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies in place.”
However, J.B. Hunt was thought to be behind when it came to equal employment practices, while many companies in the transportation services industry explicitly prohibit this type of discrimination. J.B. Hunt shareholders recognized this and requested that the company amend its policies on equal opportunity to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
J.B. Hunt has since then issued a company-wide policy that improves efforts to prevent discrimination and cultivate a supportive and respectful atmosphere. By guaranteeing equal opportunities for all, the company will have access to the largest pool of skilled applicants and can therefore increase its competitive edge in the transportation services industry.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Source: "JB Hunt - LGBT Non-Discrimination - 2016." Shareholder Proposal. Trillium Investments, 2016. Web. 12 July 2017. <http://www.trilliuminvest.com/shareholder-proposal/jb-hunt-lgbt-non-discrimination-2016/>.