ExxonMobil says it will follow new LGBT workplace guidelines

In light of President Obama's recent executive order banning workplace discrimination of LGBT employees by federal contractors, Exxon has signaled it will comply with the new guidelines.

Exxon is one of the largest corporations in the world which won over $480 million in federal contracts in 2013.

Company spokesman Alan Jeffers said Tuesday that Exxon will continue to "abide by the law."

However, that has not been the case for years. Via Houston Chronicle:

In May, Exxon shareholders voted down a proposal for the 15th consecutive year to add such language to its equal employment opportunity statement, maintaining that the business standards stated on a company web site ensure protections without having to specifically name them.

The proposal, backed since 2010 by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli on behalf of the New York State Employees Retirement System, has never gained majority shareholder support. It won 20 percent of voters this year holding roughly $41.5 billion in Exxon stock.

Exxon has not stated whether there are plans to formally change the company's equal employment opportunity policy.

I'm betting not. Exxon had to be brought to this point kicking and screaming.