How diverse is your beauty business? Aisling O’Toole zeroes in on five who actively recognise their LGBTQIA + employees.
Pride month is in full swing and companies across Australia are putting their support behind the LGBTQI + community.
Australia is known for being one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world and boasts a gay community of about 2.5 million people. But which companies continue to support all year around and truly support their LGBTQI + employees?
Recent research shows that only 32% of LGBTQI + employees are out in the workplace across the country, with the rest choosing to keep their personal lives under wraps for fear of criticism or prejudice.
By its very nature, the beauty industry has long been known for its inclusive nature with global brands leading the charge on Pride support and continued amplification of queer voices and education on the importance of allyship.
The Professional Beauty Job Board is full of companies that consistently support both the LGBTQI + community and their own queer employees.
Sephora
In 2018 Sephora was one of the first beauty retailers to embrace its trans customers by offering specific trans makeup classes run by the company’s trans employees. Since then, it has continued to support the LGBTQI+ community through charitable donations, employee education and medical support to all employees.
To support Pride on a global scale, Sephora are promoting queer voices from within its workforce across its social channels and its employees are responding – the company was scored 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and were awarded “One of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” stamp of approval. Work with Sephora.
Estée Lauder Companies
With its Viva Glam campaign, MAC became one of the first brands to step into the activist space for Aids and HIV, and to date has raised over $500 million for its charity partners, as its parent company, Estée Lauder Companies continues that support across the board.
Proud of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Estée Lauder companies set up wELCome – an LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group which works across the company to externally support, promote and highlight equality for employees who identify as queer and their families.
For the past 13 years the company has been voted “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” with a 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and developed the Pride 365 Program, an internal initiative carefully designed to advocate for LBGTQIA + equality all year beyond Pride month. Work with Estée Lauder Companies.
Aesop
A proudly Australian brand, Aesop consistently supports Australian producers, artists and communities and this year has continued its commitment to Pride in a big way.
As part of its commitment to supporting and educating its employees and customers, Aesop turned two of its Australian stores into queer libraries to amplify queer voices. The stores, in Sydney and Melbourne, were stocked with 45 titles by LGBTQIA + authors revealing how queer literature has evolved to reflect the myriad experiences within the community.
Its HR practices continue Aesop’s commitment to diversity and equality through a robust hiring policy. Explore job openings at Aesop.
Myer
Retail giant Myer has long been a supporter of the LGBTQIA + community and cemented that support with a three-year sponsorship of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as the official fashion and beauty partner. That support continues internally, with employees receiving diversity and inclusion training. Work with Myer
The Body Shop
Founded by Anita Roddick in 1976 on principles of inclusion, equality and that business could be a force for good, The Body Shop has remained true to its roots for over 40 years and promotes a Work In Pride charter for all its employees.
In fact, the company has made its charter free to all so smaller companies or businesses who don’t have a Pride At Work policy in place can follow its lead. The Body Shop also promotes allyship across its workforce, encouraging all employees to embrace individuality and support each other no matter their sexual orientation. Work with The Body Shop
Browse the Professional Beauty Job Board to find your perfect job.
This article was produced in partnership with Jobbio.
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