Table for
LGBTQ+
Panera Bread
Creating the World We Want to See
Achieve “Best in Class” Rating
Earn 95%+ HRC CEI (Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index) score by 2023 for inclusive spousal and partner benefits and transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits.
Serve Up the Right Offerings
Engage Panera Pride Alliance (PPA) and The Trevor Project to ensure the benefits that matter most to our targeted community are reflected.
Foster a Sense of Belonging
Enhance Panera Bread’s already-inclusive culture so that all associates can confidently say, “I belong.”
The Right Ingredients
// Custom Creative
// Benefits & Wellness Expertise
// DE&I Consulting
// Strategy & Execution
Rising to the Challenge
We uncovered several challenges as we set out to deliver Panera Bread’s first LGBTQ+ benefits guide:
A New Recipe
LGBTQ+ guides were a new requirement in 2023 for the HRC CEI. We sharpened our skills quickly!
Prep Work
We worked closely with Anthem and CVS Caremark to ensure technical accuracy and remove exclusions that might prohibit members of the LGBTQ+ community from accessing any of the plans.
Seasoned to Perfection
We sought expert input from multiple key stakeholders—many who were not “benefits experts” but whose point of view or LGBTQ+ insight was critical. We used images of actual Panera employees in photography to enhance authenticity.
“What a beautiful document! Thanks to this team for elevating the storytelling of inclusive benefits for our associates.”
~ Pamela Morris-Thornton, VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Rave Reviews
We delivered the guide in early 2023, on time and within budget, successfully engaging the PPA and The Trevor Project along the way. We’re waiting for the 2023 HRC CEI survey to become available this spring to determine the index score.
Though it’s early for results, we’re thrilled the guide is already having an impact on the inclusive culture at Panera Bread and receiving high praise. We’re also thrilled to share our growing expertise in this space with other clients on their journeys toward inclusivity.
