Best result ever for LGBT+ inclusion at HSBC

Recognised at the 2020 Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards, which were held virtually due to social distancing restrictions, HSBC was awarded ‘Silver Employer’ status for the first time, after receiving bronze accreditations for the last five consecutive years.

“Australia’s Pride Network pulled out the stops over the last 12 months to make our branches, offices and policies even more inclusive for LGBT+ customers and employees, resulting in our Silver Employer status,” said Paul Murphy, Head of Human Resources, HSBC Australia.

Earlier this year, HSBC Australia’s Pride Network worked with the bank’s facilities team to introduce the first ‘all gender’ bathroom to the bank’s headquarters in Barangaroo, NSW. In doing so, the bank has created a safe space for trans or gender non-binary employees and clients to use the bathroom.

In late-February, the Pride Network also invited all colleagues to its annual Mardi Gras celebration and on 10 June, hosted one of 44 virtual Pride events for HSBC’s global #24HoursofPride campaign, a celebration of HSBC’s continued support for the LGBT+ community.

“I want to express my thanks to the team that compiled this year’s AWEI submission and also to the many colleagues who regularly contribute to Pride events and initiatives, both in the workplace and the communities the bank supports,” said James Courtney, Co-Chair of HSBC Australia’s Pride Network.

“To be recognised as a Silver Employer for LGBT+ inclusion is an incredible achievement, but also represents an opportunity to focus our efforts and ‘go for gold’ in support of the LGBT+ community,” he added.

Creating an inclusive workplace is every employee’s responsibility, regardless of their gender identity or sexuality and all employees are welcome to join HSBC Australia’s Pride Network or throw their support behind its ever-growing Allies program.