Accenture s commitment to the LGBT community. A workplace of equality

Transcription

1 Accenture s commitment to the LGBT community A workplace of equality

2 Ensuring an inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees across the globe is a key and integral part of Accenture s global inclusion and diversity strategy. We are committed to raising awareness and educating our Accenture people about our LGBT community, while simultaneously supporting our LGBT employees worldwide. This commitment reflects our core values, which shape our culture, define our character and foster our ability to help our clients achieve high performance. At Accenture, we adhere to strict non-discrimination and meritocracy policies and provide a clear, open line of communication between employees and management. Recognizing that individual countries may have unique laws affecting the LGBT community, we work to ensure that our global policies and practices have their intended effect in all the geographies in which we operate. To increase the engagement of our LGBT employees in local communities and geographies we sponsor a global LGBT Network and offer a support community for transgender employees. We also run an LGBT Ally Program where employees outside of the LGBT community act as catalysts for inclusion and raising awareness for LGBT equality. Accenture is proud to be a corporate leader in supporting our LGBT employees and the broader LGBT community. On a global basis, we focus on: Training, to build awareness and understanding of the LGBT community. Policies, to ensure the equal treatment of employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, where permitted by law. Our recruitment, promotion and retention policies and guidelines make us one of the most inclusive, progressive companies in the world for LGBT people. Benefits, strive to provide identical employee benefits to same-sex and opposite-sex partners in all the countries in which we operate and where permitted by law. In addition, in the United States, we offer comprehensive health benefits for US-based transgender employees including coverage for hormone therapy, mental health counseling and transgender-specific surgeries. Professional development, to facilitate career growth and encourage networking and mentoring among our LGBT employees. "At Accenture, we believe that our strength is in our diversity, with each person bringing their distinct experience, talents and culture to the table. Providing a workplace of equality is fundamental to our core values and to who we are as a company. In this spirit, we strongly support our LGBT employees and are committed to educating all of our people about the LGBT community." Pierre Nanterme Chief Executive Officer 1

3 Attracting, developing and retaining the best LGBT talent Accenture attracts, retains and advances LGBT employees as part of our diverse population. Our active LGBT Network employees together with our recruiting teams work to ensure that we have an inclusive recruitment process. We also participate in diversity recruiting events, such as LGBT-specific job fairs in various locations. For example, since its launch in 2010, we have participated in the MILK Diversity Congress and Career Fair, Germany s leading diversity congress and first career fair focusing on LGBT. Since 2007, we have been a sponsor of Canada s Out on Bay Street, which provides a forum for LGBT students at all stages of their academic careers to learn about career opportunities available to them in the professional and financial services sectors in that country. Additionally, we have promoted Accenture to LGBT students in London at the CASS Business School, giving them insight on what it is like to be out at work. At Accenture, LGBT employees can grow professionally in an environment where top performance is recognized and drives both satisfaction and success. We invite our high-potential LGBT executives to attend professional development training sessions. Launched in May 2011, the training, which is based on Stonewall s successful Leadership Development Program, aims to develop the ability of participants to operate as visible LGBT role models who have a positive impact on inclusion and diversity at Accenture. Supporting LGBT supplier diversity In 2002, Accenture formalized the Supplier Diversity Program in the United States to develop and expand relationships with diverse businesses, creating opportunities for these enterprises to grow their businesses while strengthening our supply chain. Reinforcing our commitment to the LGBT community, we provide support and mentoring to LGBT-owned businesses that participate in the program. We also routinely assess our key suppliers to ensure they support and promote LGBT equality in their own companies. Today, we are replicating the success of the US Supplier Diversity Program across other geographies, inviting LGBT-owned businesses to participate in procurement opportunities and providing them with mentoring and access to business knowledge and skills through our LGBT Network. The White House honored Carol Attak (left) as one of 11 local leaders as a Champion of Change for outstanding leadership in entrepreneurial mentoring, counseling and training. Carol helps manage Accenture s Diverse Supplier Development Program, a formal mentoring program in which Accenture executives team with selected minority-owned, women-owned, LGBT-owned, small and other diverse suppliers to help them develop and grow their businesses. The program also offers training symposia, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities. 2

4 "It s incredibly important to me that our senior executives reflect the diversity of our people and our clients. Globally, our out LGBT senior executives demonstrate that you can be successful, out and proud at Accenture. Being actively involved in Accenture s LGBT program, I am proud of the energy and vibrancy of the Accenture LGBT community and the support that it provides to our people." Matthew Coates Senior Executive, Global LGBT Network Sponsor, London After 16 years at Accenture, I am often asked: What motivates you to stay? First and foremost, I love what I do. But I can honestly say that my involvement in the LGBT Network Group is a big reason for staying with Accenture. Being part of the group has helped me to further develop my leadership skills and has made a huge difference in my personal and professional life. Joanne McMorrow Senior Manager, Boston It is in being accepted and respected for who I am that I draw my inspiration and passion and am able to achieve my personal aspirations and contribute to the overall goals of the organization. Being part of the LGBT Network in the Philippines Delivery Center has fueled my drive to be the best person and leader that I can be. It is through this organization that I realized that sexual orientation is never a hindrance to prospering and succeeding. Roberto Sy Manager, Manila 3

5 Connecting people: Our LGBT Network Accenture s Global LGBT Network brings our LGBT community and allies together for networking, mentoring and information sharing, providing a vibrant force to our culture of high performance. Working closely with our Inclusion & Diversity teams, the Network has been instrumental in helping to craft inclusive recruitment and retention policies and adopt guidelines that make Accenture one of the most inclusive and progressive companies in the world for LGBT people. On an annual basis, we acknowledge the contribution of our LGBT employees in our global Pride month celebration. Pictured (right) are our employees celebrating in the Philippines. The LGBT Network in action The LGBT Network was originally established to help Accenture leadership understand LGBT-related inclusion and diversity topics, address them openly in the workplace and encourage all employees to confront issues that may challenge our policies of inclusion and diversity. Today, our LGBT Network groups are active at the local level across many of the geographies in which Accenture operates. They work to help raise awareness of and prevent sexual orientation or gender identity and expression discrimination at Accenture, as well as identify how our policies may affect same-sex couples around the world. They organize programs and events, such as attendance at pride events, mentoring, client networking events, community sponsorships, webcasts, recruiting activities and much more. They also are responsible for liaising with other local LGBT organizations and groups contributing to Accenture s role in the wider professional work arena. The Network s activities consistently support the goal of building confident individuals and creating a visibly supportive environment for LGBT employees. Accenture launched its LGBT Ally Program where employees outside of the LGBT community act as catalysts for inclusion and raise awareness for LGBT equality. In an organization such as Accenture, which thrives on its richly diverse workforce, it s important for us to show support for the equal rights of our colleagues. Being a Straight Ally gives me the opportunity to do that. Jessie Pitts Straight Ally Analyst, United Kingdom The LGBT Network is open to all employees. In the last year alone, thousands of Accenture employees signed up as allies and joined the Network, taking equal responsibility for helping make our working environment inclusive of LGBT employees. The Network s essential contribution to Accenture helps ensure sure that: Our recruiting professionals accurately reflect our open and proactive acceptance of LGBT applicants and maximize external relationships to recruit a diverse workforce. Our training supports what our LGBT employees need to succeed in their careers and feel comfortable in the workplace. Through a variety of channels, corporate communications create global awareness of leadership support for LGBT, foster a sense of community among members and educate within and beyond the Network by building awareness of LGBT issues. Local Accenture offices continue to develop, maintain and grow the LGBT Network to further reinforce a workplace culture that is inclusive of the LGBT community. 4

6 I am very happy that Accenture in The Netherlands acknowledges that, although we come from a very liberal country where LGBT is not an issue anymore, we still need an LGBT Network. With it, we can give guidance to LGBT people who don t feel comfortable and help those in other geographies achieve the same opportunities we have here. Peter Zerp Senior Analyst, Amsterdam Since joining Accenture in September 2009, I have been thrilled time and time again by the commitment of the global LGBT Network to ensure workplace inclusion for transgender employees. In my 25 years as an IT professional, Accenture is my first employer who has actively and aggressively sought to transform their policy of inclusion and diversity into reality in the workplace. Being a part of the LGBT Network has given me the confidence to openly discuss being transgender with my co-workers and the desire to reinvest that confidence by helping other transgender employees realize their full potential. Denise Norris Senior Analyst, New York Accenture in India is taking steps toward commitment to diversity in the LGBT area and has taken the lead among Indian employers. My participation in the San Antonio LGBT Network was the start of my personal experience, which helps me contribute toward establishing the Network in India. I am grateful for being involved. Venkatraghavan Chittambakkam Senior Manager, Chennai 5

7 Recognized as a leader Our commitment to inclusion and diversity and to the LGBT community has been recognized by a variety of organizations, including: In the United States, Accenture received the 2011 Out & Equal Workplace Excellence Outie Award for our ongoing commitment to workplace equality. We were recognized for our leadership, dedication and innovation in driving the development of LGBT networks globally and by becoming one of 10 US companies to implement World Professional Association for Transgender Health compliant transgender benefits. In Australia, we were honored with the 2011 Employment and Inclusion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex award from Diversity@ Work, which promotes and showcases the best of diversity and inclusion in Australian workplaces. In the United Kingdom, Accenture ranked 7th in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2012 and as one of its consistent top performers. This annual guide to Britain s top gay-friendly employers, based on a comprehensive workplace equality index, recognizes the pioneering efforts of leading businesses to create workplaces where lesbian, gay and bisexual people can reach their full potential. In the United States, Accenture again received a perfect score of 100 out of 100 on the HRC Foundation's 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). This is the fifth consecutive year that Accenture received a perfect score and was recognized as a top employer for LGBT people by this index, which surveys employers policies on diversity, training, health care and domestic partnership benefits, and reports the best companies for LGBT employees. In Australia, we ranked fourth in the 2012 Top 10 Employers for LGBT Employees on the Australian Workplace Equality Index. This award, given by Pride in Diversity, recognizes our LGBT program, as well as our inclusive policy and practice, inclusive culture and employment practices and LGBT diversity training and community engagement. In the United States, Accenture ranked 12th on DiversityInc s Top 50 Companies for Diversity list every year since We have been recognized for our work/life benefits, active employee resource groups (including the LGBT Network), workforce and management retention and comprehensive communications on the corporate website about our commitment to diversity. We were one of the first ten companies in the United States to implement Transgender Transition Guidelines that comply with World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards, and we signed on as a sponsor of the all-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Our Accenture leaders are recognized, too. Examples include: Accenture s Armelle Carminati, Managing Director, Human Capital & Diversity, received the 2012 Diversity Award from Dominique Baudis, French Defender of Rights, for her leadership and support of diversity and engagement on LGBT topics. Accenture s Shelley Hurley, Executive Director-Risk Management and Global Resources Lead, was recognized as a Stevie Award finalist for Mentor or Coach of the Year--Business Services. The White House honored Accenture s Carol Attak as one of 11 local leaders as a Champion of Change for outstanding leadership in entrepreneurial mentoring, counseling and training. Accenture s Denise Norris received the Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award in recognition of her contributions to the transgender community. Supporting the LGBT community Accenture and Out & Equal created the Accenture Skills to Succeed LGBT Award to honor a non-profit group or non-governmental organization working to equip people in the LGBT communities with workplace and entrepreneurial skills. The LGBT Award is part of Accenture s global Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship initiative. Through Skills to Succeed, our goal is to equip 250,000 people by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. Accenture sponsored the 2012 Global LGBT Workplace Summit in London. Accenture was the official sponsor of the 26th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (LLGFF) for the second consecutive year in the United Kingdom. Accenture sponsored the L-Women at Work Conference in the Netherlands, which was the 1st Pan-European event on advancing careers of lesbians, bisexual and transgender women in business. Accenture s Australian LGBT Network also supports the Pinnacle Foundation, providing professional mentors and committing three years of scholarship funding for marginalized or disadvantaged LGBT youth. 6

8 Continuing the journey Inclusiveness will always be at the core of everything we do at Accenture. As rights for LGBT people and same-sex couples expand globally, our ability as a global company to be proactive and address gaps will continue to set us apart in the workplace. Guided by our visionary leadership, we continue to seek opportunities to extend our policies of inclusion and diversity. We measure and monitor the level of satisfaction of our LGBT employees where permitted and constantly ensure that the right programs are in place to support a workplace of equality. It is through our diverse and deeply skilled talent pool that Accenture s quest for high performance and the ability to help our clients achieve high performance is possible. We are committed to raising awareness and educating our Accenture people about our LGBT community, while simultaneously supporting our LGBT employees worldwide. For additional information visit or to contact the Accenture LGBT Network: [email protected] About Accenture Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 246,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$25.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, Its home page is Copyright 2012 Accenture All rights reserved. Accenture, its logo, and High Performance Delivered are trademarks of Accenture /