Netflix was left out of an annual index of corporations’ inclusive policies and practices for LGBTQ+ workers, as the HRC Foundation cited how the company handled the release of the Dave Chapp…
“Given the harm experienced by transgender workers at Netflix as a result of the company’s handling of the release of The Closer, HRC has suspended Netflix’s Corporate Equality Index score and will not be rewarding it with a ‘Best Places to Work’ distinction in the 2022 CEI,” HRC said in the report.
Netflix had in recent years had a perfect score, something that earns a best places to work recognition. Netflix’s release of Chappelle’s special drew in October criticism for the comedian’s jokes and comments about the transgender community. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandosfor internal emails he initially sent defending the special, telling Deadline that “I feel I should’ve made sure to recognize that a group of our employees was hurting very badly from the decision made, and I should’ve recognized upfront before going into a rationalization of anything the pain they were going through.
Netflix was not the only company excluded from the index. Activation Blizzard also was left off the list because of “ongoing concerns about and the extent of litigation against Activision Blizzard regarding workplace equality and safety for women and the LGBTQ+ community,” the HRC Foundation said.
The Chappelle special was recently nominated for Directors Guild of America and Producers Guild of America awards.