A gay marriage supporter celebrates after the US Supreme Court paves the way for same-sex marriage in California, amid a wave of support from corporate America. Picture: AP Photo/Mathew Sumner.
Kevin Rudd’s resurrection as Prime Minister has led to speculation gay marriage could be back on the election agenda.
Mr Rudd famously changed his stance on the issue in May, challenging Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to “have the decency” to give his MPs a conscience vote on same sex marriage.
Also this week, a Supreme Court decision in the US clears the way for same-sex marriages, amid a wave of support from corporate America.
Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Nokia, Nike, Gap, and Starbucks all publicly campaigned in favour of the law change, that will also provide same-sex couples with the same right to benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
With that in mind, we looked at some of the best high-profile companies operating in Australia for supporting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the workplace.
Most are also endorsed by Australian Marriage Equality and Pride in Diversity. They are:
• Accenture Australia
• ANZ
• Australian Federal Police
• BHP Billiton
• Chevron Australia
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Curtin University
• David Jones
• Freelancer.com
• Goldman Sachs
• IBM Australia Ltd
• ING Australia Ltd
• KPMG
• Lend Lease
• Lush
• Macquarie Banking &Financial Services Group
• Marie Claire
• National Australia Bank
• News Corp Australia
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Qantas
• St George Bank Ltd
• Starbucks Australia
• Telstra
• The University of Western Australia
• Westpac
Pride in Diversity named professional services organisation Accenture Australia employer of the year in 2013 for supporting LGBTI people in the workplace.
The organisation evaluated more than 3000 companies to create a top 10 list, which also included PricewaterhouseCoopers, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, IBM Australia, Chevron Australia, Curtin University, Westpac Group, The University of Western Australia and Lend Lease.
David Jones CEO Paul Zahra at the city store in Sydney. Source: News Limited
Investment bank Macquarie won the award for employee network of the year, while Curtin University was the highest rating university and the Australian Federal Police were the best public sector organisation.
The award for most improved company when it came to inclusiveness went to National Australia Bank.
Elsewhere, mining giant BHP Billiton has a strong policy on same-sex marriage, stating in their Code of Conduct that all employees will be treated according to job-related skills and aptitudes.
“Decisions based on attributes unrelated to job performance (for example, race, colour, gender, religion, personal associations, national origin, age, disability, political beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, and family responsibilities) constitute unlawful discrimination and are prohibited,” the company states.
Retail and media companies were also among those who have actively supported gay marriage in the past, with David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra (pictured above) stating the ban on same-sex marriage sends the message it’s OK to treat gay people differently.
“We value all of our staff and customers and treat them all equally and we’d like to see the federal government do the same thing and change the legislation,” he told The Australian Financial Review in May last year.
Brian McFadden, girlfriend Vogue Williams and Rachel Taylor served as ambassadors for Marie Claire’s “I Do” campaign. Source: News Limited
Freelancer.com’s regional director for Australia, New Zealand Nikki Parker said their company supports equal opportunities, while Marie Claire magazine has spearheaded an “I Do” campaign endorsed by Brian McFadden and Rachel Taylor (pictured) to support the issue.
Major banks and telecommunications companies were also included, such as Telstra, Westpac, ANZ, St George and Commonwealth Bank.
Author: Victoria Craw Business Editor
Publication: news.com.au
Date: 28 June 2013