Wabtec Expands Non-Discrimination Policies to Include Gender Identity and Expression

NOVEMBER 2014: Following a productive dialogue between Trillium and Wabtec (NYSE: WAB) on the issue of workplace protections, Wabtec has amended its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to include gender identity and gender expression as stand-alone protected categories. The company’s policy on Diversity and Equal Opportunity now states:
Wabtec’s future depends on its ability to attract and retain the best people at all levels of the Company. To do so, Wabtec must establish and foster an environment that embraces individual differences and encourages everyone to attain their full potential. Wabtec policies and practices strive to assure equal employment and advancement opportunities for all qualified people. Our policy prohibits discrimination with regard to race, color, sex (gender), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran and other uniformed service status or any other characteristic or basis protected by applicable law.
Even with the evolution in favor of allowing same-sex marriage in the U.S., LGBT workers still face legal uncertainty when it comes to workplace discrimination. President Obama’s Executive Order 13672, signed in August, will offer gender identity and gender expression protections to federal contractors, however, there are no federal laws expressly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, state and local laws are not comprehensive or consistent with respect to prohibiting employment discrimination.
Trillium commends Wabtec for developing a consistent corporate-wide policy to enhance efforts to prevent discrimination, and hire and retain the best talent. By joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing equal opportunity for all employees, Wabtec is well-positioned to strengthen its competitive edge.

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