Utilities praised for diversity efforts
Some natural gas utilities have earned national recognition for their efforts in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
Ameren Corp., Exelon Corp., National Grid USA, PG&E Corp., Sempra Energy, Southern Co. and Xcel Energy Inc. earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2017 Corporate Equality Index.
The Human Rights Campaign evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices in corporations nationwide, taking into account factors such as a company’s equivalency in spousal and partner benefits, equal employment opportunity policy and LGBT-specific public engagement efforts and responsible citizenship.
At PG&E, such efforts date back more than 30 years and have included top-down support and corporate sponsorship of the LGBT community. “I am extremely proud to be a part of a company where our actions match our strong diversity and inclusion values,” PG&E President, Gas, Nick Stavropoulos told American Gas.
The PrideNetwork Employee Resource Group’s ally engagement program has been particularly effective in helping to create a cultural shift among non-LGBT employees, said Elizabeth Turnbull, senior business operations specialist and founder of PrideNetwork Ally Programs at PG&E.
“We offer stickers, buttons and postcards declaring ‘I’m an ally’ for employees to display in their workspaces to identify themselves. We found that allies welcome the opportunity to demonstrate their support for LGBT colleagues, and that our LGBT community feels much more comfortable bringing their whole selves to work when they see that visible network of support,” she told American Gas.
In 2016, a few new measures included workplace transitioning guidelines and fully inclusive benefits, including pensions for same-sex couples, said Michael Coyle, PG&E diversity and inclusion manager.
The efforts pay off in attracting new employees and supporting current ones. “Business growth and development cannot happen without a diverse workforce,” said Jeremy Laurin, senior environmental scientist and president of the PrideNetwork Employee Resource Group at PG&E.
“If each of us is unable to bring our full selves to work, how can we be devoted fully to our work?”
Stemming from its companywide “culture of respect,” Sempra Energy has taken tangible steps to show support for both LGBT employees and the LGBT community, including early inclusion of domestic partner benefits and early coverage of gender reassignment surgery, Andrew Kwok, manager of diversity & inclusion for SoCalGas, told American Gas.
The utility is intentional in its strategy. Communication tools include prominent internal website content, such as an LGBT fact sheet, gender transition guidelines, educational LGBT-themed videos and articles, and presentations for employees. In addition, the utility provides financial support for local LGBT projects.
It can be challenging, but always worthwhile, to foster an all-inclusive professional environment.
“When we learn of challenges such as an individual employee whose words or actions do not reflect our respectful and inclusive workplace, we address the behavior in no uncertain terms. We also provide training to individuals and work groups by our diversity and inclusion advisors,” Kwok said.
“Our industry is associated with work that society traditionally sees as ‘men’s work,’ so we had to overcome concepts of traditional and nontraditional work and who does it. We are proud especially of the many women in our company who overcame that challenge and the many LGBT women among them who helped and continue to do so,” Coyle said.