Engaging locally through diversity, equality and inclusion

Celebrating Pride Month

Each June, we take part in Pride Month, celebrating pride in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community across our sites. The rich tableau of events included:

In the USA, a special collection of fragrances inspired by Pride was created with, and experienced by, local employees. The Pride committee also organised pop-up events including food from a local LGBTQIA+-owned business, trivia questions, and an engaging booth. Quite a few colleagues also attended the official Pride parade in New York, and others joined in Paris.

In Argentina, it was an open dialogue, where colleagues could ask questions around topics that are sometimes considered taboo in the workplace. Affinity groups in Mexico led a panel discussion emphasising the importance of respecting differences. The Brazil diversity committee invited employees to take part in interactive sessions on topics ranging from gender equality, ageism, special needs to race and ethnicity, organised around shift patterns. 

The India team implemented a series of initiatives to advocate for inclusion and foster a sense of belonging, including unconscious bias training for managers and a revised medical programme covering LGBTQIA+ living partners. 

Caring and designing for all

We make every effort to create an inclusive culture for all, regardless of visible or invisible disabilities. We took the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities to encourage discussion around the idea that disability is not a condition, but a result of the attitudes of society or the environment. Employees from all areas and countries discussed invisible disabilities such as poor mental health diagnoses.

As an example, GBS launched Better Balance and Beyond –  an initiative to remove workplace barriers – and the GBS recruitment process is now inclusive of people with disabilities. A series of events encouraged employees to tackle myths and truths about disabilities. In IT, a programme was set up to help talented students and graduates who may face barriers to employment due to their disabilities into internships.

Demonstrating equality

Givaudan Mexico achieved voluntary certification as an equal employer, free of discrimination. The certification is a voluntary standard, and demonstrates that we have implemented processes and practices conducive to labour equality and inclusion. These include an equal hiring process, wage equality, a policy of using inclusive language, and training on equality and non-discrimination. 

With many other similar events taking place throughout the year, local actions are helping Givaudan to embed DEI into every aspect of our business.

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