How do Cincinnati's Businesses Rank?

The post about P&G including gender identity/expression in its non-discrimination policy got me thinking: How do other Cincinnati businesses rank, and why? Commentors seems mildly interested in contacting these businesses as a way of encouraging them to increase their HRC Corporate Index. I did a little scouring and there are only six locally based businesses on the list:

Macy's

• 2009 Rank: 100 (Second year running!)
• 2008 Rank: 100 (Perfect score! The only Cincinnati based business to do so on the 2008 index)
• 2006 Rank: 80

Proctor and Gamble

• 2009 Rank: 85
• 2008 Rank: 85
• 2006 Rank: 65
• Missing Points: P&G did not include gender identity and expression in their non-discrimination policy.
• Notes: As of May, 2009, this policy has changed and the score is likely to increase in 2010.

Frost, Brown, Todd

• 2009 Ranking: 85
• Missing Points: Does not including gender in its diversity training, nor does it have trans benefits in its insurance; does not cover domestic partners in dental, vision, COBRA, or dependent coverage.
• Notes: This is the first year FBT appears on the list.

Convergys

• 2009 Ranking: 80
• Missing Points: Does not include gender identity/expression in its non-discrimination policy; does not cover domestic partners in dental, COBRA, vision, or dependent coverage.
• Notes: 2009 is the first year Convergys appears on the list! Honestly, I've never been quite sure what they do...

Fifth Third Bank

• 2009 Rank: 75
• 2008 Rank: 60
• 2006 Rank: 65
• Missing Points: Does not include gender identity and expression in its non-discrimination policy, nor include some insurance benefit for trans-identified persons in their insurance; only gives some benefits -- minus dental, vision, COBRA, dependent coverage -- to domestic partners.
• Notes: 5/3 scores the lowest in 2008 out of all the Cincinnati businesses, which surprises me as they have a very large and very prominent LGBT employees organization. I checked their website and though they stress their diversity, there is no mention of DP benefits, so maybe not? I think I'm actually disappointed by this.

Kroger's

• 2009 Ranking: 75
• 2008 Ranking: 75
• 2006 Ranking: 35
• Missing Points: Exlusively dealing with gender identity and expression -- no protection in non-discrimination policy of gender identity/expression, no diversity training including gender, and no trans wellness benefits for employment.
• Notes: Despite what they are missing, a 40-point increase in two years is huge, but that seems to have capped off. Also, a commentator on the P&G post pointed out that Kroger just started allowing affinity groups, which means there will be a little internal pressure to start including some of these points.

Overall? Not bad, though we can do better! How do we line up with other indexed businesses in Ohio? In order of ranking and alphabet:

1. Abercrombie and Fitch - New Albany - 100 (duh!)
2. Cardinal Health - Dublin - 100
3. KeyCorp - Cleveland - 100
4. Nationwide - Columbus - 100
5. NCR Corp. - Dayton - 100
6. Owens Corning - Toledo - 100
7. Progressive Corporation - Mayfield Village - 100
8. Squire Sanders and Dempsey LLP - Cleveland - 100
9. AmTrust Bank - Cleveland - 83
10. Limited Brands - Columbus - 80
11. National City Corporation - Cleveland -80
12. Vorys, Sater, Seymore, and Pease LLP - 80
13. Huntington Bancshares - Columbus - 75
14. University Hospitals of Cleveland - 50
15. Cooper Tire and Rubber - Findlay - 33
16. Dana Holding - Toledo - 20
17. Lauren Manufacturing - New Philadelphia - 5

In short: every single other city, except for Cleveland, has one "100" business. We now, also, have two. :-) We're actually doing slightly better in our big businesses.

This original post was written based on the 2008 Rankings; I should have been using the 2009 rankings. I tried to edit it to make sure it reads right, apologies if there are mistakes.

OHIO/CINNKY: Hell yea Price Hill!!!

I don't know if you've picked up on it at all, but I'm a Price Hill resident -- East Price Hill to be exact.

As a commentary, I'd like to point out the interesting distinction growing in the PH: Lower Price Hill versus East Price Hill (including the sub-neighborhood of the "Incline District"). See, "LPH" is bad and dark and scary -- i.e., it's filled with Mexican immigrants, people from Appalachia, and prostitutes. "EPH," meanwhile, is setting itself up as the new, cool, hip neighborhood in town -- with the Incline District as its central motivator. I have always said Price Hill is the next to develop, as it's the only hill in town that you can buy an overlook of downtown for under $100,000 (my friend bought a condo with a porch off his master bedroom overlooking downtown for a measly $66,000 -- not joking). I was very excited when Sibcy-Cline once put up a sign in out neighborhood that said "Priceless views. Priced Less. Price Hill." Honestly, is there another part of the city that you can see all of the city from that doesn't cost $500,000+? Nope!

On the bright side, it's better than my neighbor's joke -- that we live in "North Villa Hills" (a somewhat affluent Kentucky neighborhood that's immediately south of us across the river).

Imagine my glee when CINCINNATI REVISITED (a new blog on the left side of your screen -- a Cincy history blog; mom, read it, you'll like it) directed me to the link about a brand new spanking $50m development in EPH.



City Lights Development is planning on turning Queen City Towers into a new hot spot, including a newly revamped neighborhood around it, that includes a night club (whoohoo!), a gourmet pizza parlor (what?), a steakhouse, and a new park. The image is kinda crappy, but it's right there in the middle.

IE: along with Kroger's plan for new building, right next to the old one (which, btw, was built right next to the old one that became a Family Dollar -- pictures to come), things may be looking better. (HA! Although, having four Kroger's -- near Walmart, on Glenway, at Race Street, and in PH -- may be a little egregious.)

Invest now, wait out the housing crisis, and then hope the value of my house goes through the roof.