Bronze: ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil received a rating of 75% and is therefore quite far advanced in LGBTQ+ equality. The company has handled all the basic requirements well, i.e. forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and forbidding homo/transphobic harassment, including implementing a procedure for reporting such incidents.

Positively, LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. During recruitment, ExxonMobil also openly and actively seeks out LGBTQ+ talents, and has developed training focused on LGBTQ+ topics.

ExxonMobil has a very well-functioning LGBTQ+ internal employee group. Its proactive approach to promoting LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace is unique, and is a shining example of how voluntary employee activities can influence workplace culture and company-wide behaviour. The management and whole company is committed to promoting LGBTQ+ activities.

Bronze: SAP Group

With 74%, the SAP Group is relatively far advanced in terms of LGBTQ+ equality.

The SAP Group has a codified ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, a ban on homo/transphobic harassment and unpleasant acts of hetero/cisnormativity, including a procedure for reporting such incidents. 

The SAP Group’s LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits with other employees, except for time off in the event of a wedding. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. We appreciate how the SAP Group has treated this topic, including all processed materials.

When recruiting, the SAP Group also openly and actively seeks LGBTQ+ talents, enables employees to identify themselves as LGBTQ+ people within their internal systems, and has developed compulsory training focused on LGBTQ+ topics. We appreciate that through various courses, SAP focuses on the often-neglected issue of gender identity. The SAP Group also has a relatively active LGBTQ+ internal employee group. 

Bronze: Accenture

Accenture scored 73%, so it’s well on the way to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Accenture has a codified ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a ban on homo/transphobic harassment and demonstrations of hetero/cisnormativity, and a procedure for reporting such incidents.

LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. In this area, we especially appreciate the extension of the definition of ‘eligible persons’ from registered partners to any co-living partners. Accenture employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions. Accenture also seeks LGBTQ+ talent when recruiting, and also allows employees to identify themselves as LGBTQ+ within internal systems. The company has developed training focused on diversity topics, and an internal LGBTQ+ internal employee group.

Bronze: Microsoft

Microsoft achieved 72%, so is relatively far advanced in LGBTQ+ equality. Microsoft has addressed the banning of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the banning of homo/transphobic harassment and unpleasant demonstrations of hetero/cisnormativity, including a procedure for reporting such incidents.

LGBTQ+ employees have comparable benefits to other employees. Employees in transition need not worry about any negative impact on their working conditions, and we appreciate the use of current terminology. Microsoft also allows employees to identify themselves as an LGBTQ+ person within internal systems. The company has developed education focused on diversity topics. We appreciate, among other aspects, the inclusion of blocks focused on discriminatory behaviour and prejudices – which transgressors may not be fully aware of – and microaggression. It is positive that the management and company is actively involved in supporting LGBTQ+ activities, and actively supports climate change for LGBTQ+ people in Czech society.

Employee Driven Initiatives: ČSOB

ČSOB wins the award in this category for the first time. While their internal employee group was only established in 2019, it’s already a leader among Czech companies. The jury especially appreciated its positive influence on changing corporate culture in its active approach to LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, and also that despite the pandemic the group successfully continued and achieved its ambitious goals.

Big Step Forward: Moneta Money Bank

Moneta Money Bank only began to address the issue of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace in 2020. Yet even in such a short time, it has taken a huge step forward, joined the Pride Business Forum, and began to align employee benefits. This has all been enabled by the unique cooperation between the LGBTQ+ lead, the HR director of the group, and the personal commitment of the company’s CEO. This synergy has enabled Moneta Money Bank to win the 2021 Big Step Forward Award.

Zdeněk Hřib

Zdeněk Hřib had supported LGBTQ+ equality before being elected Prague mayor and actively continues this support in his position – despite the sometimes-loud opposition of some political colleagues. Under his leadership, the town hall flew a rainbow flag for the first time during the Prague Pride festival. The city has also joined the Fast Track Cities initiative, which aims to reduce the spread of HIV. The city provided premises for the first LGBTQ+ community centre in Prague. Zdeněk Hřib was the first mayor to join support for We Are Fair (Jsme fér), and he publicly committed to actively promoting the equality of LGBTQ+ employees at Prague City Hall.

Roman Knap

The head of Česká pošta met for the first time with the Pride Business Forum and the principles of LGBTQ+ equality at SAP, where the company signed the Pride Business Forum Memorandum in 2017. He also transferred these values to the management of state-owned Česká pošta. Roman Knap signed a memorandum on behalf of Česká pošta at the beginning of 2021. It thus became the first state-owned company to strive for a level playing field for all its 28,000 employees, including LGBTQ+. Thanks to his commitment and leadership, Česká pošta is becoming an LGBTQ+ person-friendly company, setting an example for other state-owned companies.

Dagmar Kuchtová

The Director General of the Confederation of Industry and Transport has long been an active advocate for the promotion of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace among the Confederation’s member companies. Thanks to its activity, the association openly supports activities related to gender equality and diversity in its programme statement. Dagmar Kuchtová attended a meeting of business leaders with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to support marriage for all, and is a signatory to letters for political leaders in this regard. Dagmar Kuchtová is the initiator of changes in the field of LGBTQ+ equality at the Confederation of Industry and Transport. 

Richard Stonavský

Richard works at Vodafone Czech Republic as an Exco Commitee sponsor for LGBTQ+ equality.  As part of employee activities, he raises questions about how to increasingly approach the topic of equality towards LGBTQ+ both in the workplace and externally – explaining why it is important to create a work environment that is open and inclusive. He personally advocates LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace and society as a whole. Richard is a role model as an openly gay man in such a prominent executive position.

Tomáš Spurný

Moneta Money Bank CEO Tomáš Spurný has changed the bank’s approach and culture with his leadership and personal commitment – in a short time and during the pandemic. He led the company to make changes that created a better working environment for LGBTQ+ people. The Czech banking sector lags significantly behind in promoting LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, not only globally but also in comparison with other Czech market sectors. Tomáš Spurný goes against the flow, because he believes that LGBTQ+ people deserve equal treatment at work and also generally. He is a trendsetter in his industry, which is why Christian Schwenke – chairman of the Pride Business Forum – awarded his personal prize to him.