LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer 2021 Awards
LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer, motivates and raises the profile of employers who are implementing measures aimed at the better inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees in the Czech Republic. Strategic approaches, specific projects, and ways of implementation are evaluated, as well as how the issue is supported by top management and communicated both internally and externally.
Gold: Vodafone Česká republika
In the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer category, Vodafone ČR has led the rankings since the award ceremony began in 2018. The company respects the values of diversity, inclusion and equality for all its 2,500 employees, including LGBTQ+. With a rating of 91%, Vodafone was the only employer in the Czech Republic in the GOLD category.
Vodafone excels in how well it has handled all the basic requirements: it has banned discrimination based on orientation or gender identity as well as homophobic and transphobic harassment in its workplace, and it also prevents unpleasant demonstrations of hetero/cisnormativity. It has a sophisticated system for how LGBTQ+ employees can defend themselves and report possible incidents.
Vodafone is a model for other employers of how to approach their trans employees. The company has well-designed LGBTQ+ topic optional education, and an active LGBTQ+ employee group. The company and management are involved, actively supporting local LGBTQ+ activities and also climate change for LGBTQ+ people in the Czech Republic.
Vodafone is a true champion in this area, and can serve as an example of best practice on the Czech market. Vodafone is awarded for its perfect mix of all components that result in an inclusive workplace open to all.
Bronze: ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil received a rating of 75% and is therefore quite far advanced in LGBTQ+ equality. The company has handled all the basic requirements well, i.e. forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and forbidding homo/transphobic harassment, including implementing a procedure for reporting such incidents.
Positively, LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. During recruitment, ExxonMobil also openly and actively seeks out LGBTQ+ talents, and has developed training focused on LGBTQ+ topics.
ExxonMobil has a very well-functioning LGBTQ+ internal employee group. Its proactive approach to promoting LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace is unique, and is a shining example of how voluntary employee activities can influence workplace culture and company-wide behaviour. The management and whole company is committed to promoting LGBTQ+ activities.
Bronze: SAP Group
Společnost SAP Group dosáhla 74 %, je tedy z hlediska LGBTQ+ rovnosti poměrně daleko.
With 74%, the SAP Group is relatively far advanced in terms of LGBTQ+ equality.
The SAP Group has a codified ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, a ban on homo/transphobic harassment and unpleasant acts of hetero/cisnormativity, including a procedure for reporting such incidents.
The SAP Group’s LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits with other employees, except for time off in the event of a wedding. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. We appreciate how the SAP Group has treated this topic, including all processed materials.
When recruiting, the SAP Group also openly and actively seeks LGBTQ+ talents, enables employees to identify themselves as LGBTQ+ people within their internal systems, and has developed compulsory training focused on LGBTQ+ topics. We appreciate that through various courses, SAP focuses on the often-neglected issue of gender identity. The SAP Group also has a relatively active LGBTQ+ internal employee group.
Bronze: Accenture
Accenture scored 73%, so it’s well on the way to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Accenture has a codified ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a ban on homo/transphobic harassment and demonstrations of hetero/cisnormativity, and a procedure for reporting such incidents.
LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. In this area, we especially appreciate the extension of the definition of ‘eligible persons’ from registered partners to any co-living partners. Accenture employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. Accenture also seeks LGBTQ+ talent when recruiting, and also allows employees to identify themselves as LGBTQ+ within internal systems. The company has developed training focused on diversity topics, and an internal LGBTQ+ internal employee group.
Bronze: Microsoft
Microsoft achieved 72%, so is relatively far advanced in LGBTQ+ equality. Microsoft has addressed the banning of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the banning of homo/transphobic harassment and unpleasant demonstrations of hetero/cisnormativity, including a procedure for reporting such incidents.
LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions, and we appreciate the use of current terminology. Microsoft also allows employees to identify themselves as an LGBTQ+ person within internal systems. The company has developed education focused on diversity topics. We appreciate, among other aspects, the inclusion of blocks focused on discriminatory behaviour and prejudices – which transgressors may not be fully aware of – and microaggression. It is positive that the management and company is actively involved in supporting LGBTQ+ activities, and actively supports climate change for LGBTQ+ people in Czech society.
Employee Driven Initiatives: ČSOB
ČSOB wins the award in this category for the first time. While their internal employee group was only established in 2019, it’s already a leader among Czech companies. The jury especially appreciated its positive influence on changing corporate culture in its active approach to LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, and also that despite the pandemic the group successfully continued and achieved its ambitious goals.
Skokan roku: Moneta Money Bank
Moneta Money Bank only began to address the issue of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace in 2020. Yet even in such a short time, it has taken a huge step forward, joined the Pride Business Forum, and began to align employee benefits. This has all been enabled by the unique cooperation between the LGBTQ+ lead, the HR director of the group, and the personal commitment of the company’s CEO. This synergy has enabled Moneta Money Bank to win the 2021 Big Step Forward Award.