BIG IMPACT INITIATIVE AWARD:
UNITE
Some business sectors are more reached by LGBTIQ business networks, others have little contact with them. To date, there have been few best practices for LGBTIQ outreach in manufacturing companies. UNITE addressed this issue by hosting a workshop on LGBT*IQ for 200 manufacturing employees. This allowed the network to lead the way.
Due to the consistently positive response from employees and managers, the network was invited to hold workshops at all company locations in North Rhine-Westphalia. In parallel, UNITE also held workshops in other areas of the company, for example in administration, technology or research, thus contributing to more LGBT*IQ equal opportunities in the workplace.
RISING STAR AWARD:
bunt/lb
Despite its foundation at the beginning of last year, this network has already planned and carried out a variety of creative actions. BUNT/LB stands for acceptance and understanding on all levels of togetherness. In addition to representatives of the LGBT*IQ community, allys as members of the foundation are also committed to the interests of the network; the executive director also acts as a godmother.
On this year’s Diversity Day, BUNT/LB called on all employees to colorfully paint white rubber ducks. The more than 200 creatively designed ducklings from various locations then went swimming together in the company pond. This creative idea was decisive in the decision for BUNT/LB.
GLOBAL LEADER NETWORK AWARD:
shine
This network has not only been advocating for the LGBTIQ community for ten years, but is also active globally in over 30 countries. In 2023, Shine launched for the first time a Global LGBTIQ Inclusion Strategy, which aims to further promote equal opportunities for the LGBTIQ community with concrete actions and objectives. These actions include raising awareness among leaders, expanding the network, collecting data on LGBTIQ employee needs, and providing educational opportunities and increased visibility through role models.
To provide employees with these learning experiences, workshops, roundtable discussions, and other events were offered throughout June – including across state lines – living up to Shine’s “Global Leader” title.
sustainability AWARD:
pride+
At Hogan Lovells, diversity and inclusion are seen as a strategic priority at all locations internationally, as evidenced by policies on discrimination that protect all LGBTIQ identities and a dedicated Gender Pronoun Policy, among others. In the six years since its inception, Pride+ has made it its mission to train all employees and managers on Unconcious Bias and to include the topic of LGBTIQ in its recruiting processes. In Germany itself, a recommendation on gender-neutral language in the workplace has also been in place for two years, and repeated training sessions have consolidated this recommendation in the long term.
Pride+ has set itself the goal of achieving an LGBT*IQ quota of at least 4% among its global corporate partners by 2025. This vision was a key factor in choosing Pride+.