SWY Safeway Inc.

PLEASANTON, Calif., Dec. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) announced today that for the second year in a row, it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

"We pride ourselves on embracing and celebrating the rich diversity of our employees, customers and suppliers," said Larree Renda, Executive Vice President. "It is part of our culture to make every individual feel equally valued and respected. These core principles are the fabric of who we are and make us one of the best places to work."

Some of the programs and initiatives that account for Safeway's high score include:

• An inclusive benefits package
• An employee resource group, GALA, Safeway LGBT and Allies, which was created in 2006
• A supplier diversity program that supports the inclusion of LGBT vendors and suppliers
• Financial sponsorship and participation in annual LGBT-related events and causes across the regions where the company operates

The 2015 CEI rated nearly 1,000 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Safeway's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.

For more information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About Safeway: www.Safeway.com 
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales.  The company operates 1,326 stores in the United States and had annual sales of $35.1 billion in 2013. 

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SOURCE Safeway Inc.