Stonewall has unveiled this year’s Top Global Employers for their “outstanding commitment” to lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) employment equality. They include Accenture, Allen & Overy, Baker McKenzie, BP, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Dentons, Fidelity International, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, GSK, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, HSBC, NatWest, Pinsent Masons, Simmons & Simmons, Vodafone and Zurich Insurance Group.
All 17 organisations have been recognised for “their outstanding commitment to LGBT employment equality globally”, confirmed the LGBT charity. These companies have gone “above and beyond to push for LGBT equality” within their organisations and in wider society.
In addition, Stonewall has given special awards to five of the Top Global Employers. Allen & Overy’s A&Out Network has scooped The Global LGBT Network Award. Accenture wins the Global Community Engagement Award. The Global Senior Champion Award goes to Igor Ostrowski, Global Co-Chair of Technology, Media & Telecommunications of Dentons. Finally, the Global Trans Inclusion Award goes to Baker McKenzie.
INSPIRING WORK
Commenting on the awards, Stonewall’s Chief Executive Nancy Kelley stated: “The progress we’ve made towards LGBT equality has never felt more fragile. So it’s inspiring to see the work our Top Global Employers are doing to protect and support their LGBT staff in some extremely difficult contexts. We know that getting this right isn’t easy. But it is vital – especially because not all parts of the world are progressing at the same pace.”
While some countries moved forward this year, “like Gabon, who decriminalised same-sex relationships, others, like Poland and Hungary, have rowed back the rights of LGBT people. All of this has been happening while we are still living through a global pandemic that’s hitting some LGBT people harder than others”, noted Kelley. “That’s why it’s crucial for firms like our Top Global Employers to step up and make sure LGBT staff/customers are looked after. Multinational companies have a powerful part to play in driving equality and progress in society. With their help every LGBT person can be accepted without exception, wherever they are in the world.”
PUSHING FOR LGBT EQUALITY
Anti-LGBT legislation still exists in 70 countries, and 120 countries don’t have any laws protecting LGBT people from employment discrimination. The international environment is constantly changing and this complex picture means multinational firms cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach to LGBT inclusion. Companies must work within ever-changing parameters, while ensuring LGBT employees feel included and supported across the board.
The Global Workplace Equality Index (GWEI) is the definitive workplace culture benchmark for LGBT staff in multinationals. Created by Stonewall nine years ago, the GWEI aims to push LGBT equality forward internationally. Organisations with offices around the world work with Stonewall to ensure their LGBT staff can be themselves at work.
GLOBAL RESOURCES
Companies participating in the GWEI are assessed on employee policies, training, staff engagement, leadership, monitoring, procurement and community engagement. A good understanding of local context, global mobility and in-country activity is also vital. Stonewall also produces resources to help companies better embed LGBT inclusion across their organisation. These resources include the Stonewall Global Workplace Briefings, which provide country-specific information about creating equal workplaces. It also provides information about the legal and socio-cultural factors facing LGBT people in those countries.
Briefings are available for the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, UK and USA. Click here to access the full Top Global Employers report.
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