By Hervé Tessler
Since our earliest days, Xerox embarked on a never-ending journey to demonstrate that good business and diversity are not only compatible, but synergistic. At our company, diversity is not viewed as a mandate, but as an essential part of our corporate culture. We know that what’s good for society and communities where we live and work, is good for business.
Long before Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, we extended equal benefits to married employees and same-sex domestic partners in the U.S., regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender. Treating others with respect and offering equal opportunities makes us stronger because it allows us to take full advantage of our global workforce that is rich in experience, knowledge and creativity. Many of our accomplishments as a company originate from teams of diverse individuals who complement one another by representing different perspectives and who work as one to achieve our strategic goals.
Workplace success is truly dependent on employees who feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. At Xerox, employee caucus groups help our leaders define and achieve inclusion goals, full participation and employee engagement. I have the honor of championing GALAXEe, Pride at Work, a caucus group focused on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) employees and their allies in locations all over the world.
Most importantly, all Xerox organizations rate 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, a score that we have maintained for over a decade. This is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees.
Work still needs to be done
While the United States has taken a big step towards equality, more work needs to be done. Some states still don’t have legal protection from discriminating against LGBT employees in the workplace. And, as a global company, we have a sharp focus on all of our employees and partners around the world. In 78 countries, LGBT individuals can be put in jail or worse; in five countries, they would receive the death penalty. Sexual orientation and gender identity are important aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse.
Our commitment
Supporting LGBT inclusion and workplace equality is more than the right thing to do: It is critical for companies and leaders who want to create innovative solutions, achieve business goals and improve bottom-line results. By focusing on diversity, Xerox hires, promotes and retains the best people who are well-suited for our business. Our commitment to diversity in the workplace, and equal opportunity for all will never waver. It’s who we are at Xerox; it’s in our DNA.
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Fantastic article. It feels good to work for a corporation that promotes and supports diversity & inclusion to the extend Xerox does.
How dare a company that I have invested in takes a position that is NOT representative of ALL shareholders. Based on your leftist views, I have divested myself of all holdings of this company and hope that God’s will includes a bankruptcy in the near future.
Your commitment has no basis.
Your moderation of postings is another fine example of not allowing dissenting views.
Propaganda is what you truly deliver.
Straight is Great!!!!!
What happened? Didn’t you like my opposing comments? Xerox sucks.
I was happy and proud to see Xerox changing its icon online in a very visible demonstration of support for the LGBT community. Thank you to the leadership that made the call, many companies would have taken the path of least resistance.
Thanks for your kind words, Amy. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion will truly never waver. We appreciate your support.
Greg Pings,
Blogmaster
I’m pleased to read this article and to acknowledge that this is TRULY how we at Xerox do business. Anything else would be a disservice to our corporate values.
Thank you Hervé for your ongoing support of the LGBT community at Xerox. Yes, much work is needed but Xerox’s commitment enables Our Community to bring their full selves to work- all the time. How delightful!
In the beginning of the Human Race, scientific Adam and scientific Eve, though separated by 2500 years as determined by DNA originated out of Africa, so obviously they were black, and through thousands of generations there evolved changes which included the Caucasian and the Asian Races, with occasional inclusions of Desovenians, and Neanderthal,…all mixed in to create a wealth of diversity in addition to the LGBT community. We are all people of the Human Race…and our future depends on our diversity and in our inclusiveness…after all,…it is included in our DNA!