Creating a Safe and Welcoming Workplace for LGBTQ+ Employees

"

Steve Adubato sits down with Jens Audenaert, Division Vice President & General Manager for WorkMarket at ADP and Executive Sponsor for ADP Pride, to talk about the importance of inclusiveness and diversity at a company in order to promote positive leadership and a safe workplace for all, including LGBTQ+ employees.

10/11/19 #2253

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

"I'm Steve Adubato. This is One on One. Coming to you from the Agnes Varis NJTV Studio. It is our pleasure to introduce Jens Audenaert, who is Division Vice President and General Manager of WorkMarket ADP. Which is? ADP is the leading human capital management provider in the U.S. and abroad, and WorkMarket was a recent acquisition, that allows companies to manage their freelance and independent contractor populations. And ADP is a big supporter of our programming in the area of diversity and inclusion. Let's talk about that. Absolutely. So here's the thing. There's an initiative at ADP, it's called ADP Pride. What is it? And what does that have to do with diversity and inclusion? Sure. So I have the pleasure and honor to be the executive sponsor for ADP Pride. It is one of our nine business resource groups, that really sits within the office of diversity and inclusion, which... You're the executive sponsor? Correct. Go ahead. Which means I lead the group. And so diversity and inclusion is a key priority for ADP. We think it's important for organizations to have a focus on having a welcoming culture for all. We think it's very important, too, in the talent marketplace. And as a provider of HR services to our clients, we also believe that it is our role and duty to educate our clients on the importance of diversity and inclusion. And then, for specifically ADP Pride, LGBTQ diversity and inclusion. So for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and questioning associates and communities. You know, we're taping this program... we always disclose when we tape, you see in the corner of the screen, on the 17th of September of 2019. It'll be seen after that. But in fact, on the 11th of October, is National Coming Out Day? Mm hmm. Not only for that day, but for the entire month, ADP Pride does what? So we have a major campaign coming out in October. We actually have three campaigns throughout the year. There's a big one in June for Pride Month October's a little bit more solemn. It's about National Coming Out Day and Spirit Day, where we will reach our 57,000 associates globally, with a message around those specific days. National Coming Out Day is really about celebrating the visibility of the LGBTQ community. It just kind of goes back to Harvey Milk. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." For those who don't know Harvey Milk, Google Harvey Milk, an iconic, important leader, coming out of San Francisco, tragically killed by another member of that city council. A documentary on PBS. Check it out. It's important. Pick it up from there. Yeah...."