Companies have seen the business benefits of being open-minded and supportive of LGBT rights in the workplace. But for multinational corporations that operate in jurisdictions not supportive of those rights and in many cases hostile to LGBT individuals it can be quite challenging for companies to extend nondiscrimination protections while also adhering to local laws and customs.
While 93 percent of Fortune 500 companies have nondiscrimination policies relating to sexual orientation, approximately 75 countries still criminalize same-sex sexual conduct, according to data referenced in a new study by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI). The study, “Out in the World: Securing LGBT Rights in the Global Marketplace,” reveals talent and consumer market pressures for advancing global LGBT equality and shows LGBT-supportive companies how to foster an inclusive and safe environment for employees in anti-LGBT geographies, according to its authors.
“LGBT professionals who work for companies that make them feel safe from discrimination are more likely to be engaged and bring their authentic selves to work,” said CTI founder and CEO Sylvia Ann Hewlett. “When employers create an inclusive environment, they enjoy a competitive edge in their ability to recruit top talent, unleash innovative potential and secure the loyalty of new market segments.”
