CITY VIEWS | ARE BUSINESSES DOING ENOUGH TO FIGHT INTOLERANCE TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY?
ALISHA FRANCIS
HEALTHCARE AUSTRALIA
I don’t think they’re doing enough. The senior levels of management don’t seem to think it’s a big issue whereas at the bottom it’s seen as too sensitive to touch so these problems never get attention in the way they should. Also, I agree with Lord Browne that the legal profession and the media are more open to diversity because people working in these professions have so much more interaction with the general public, whereas people in the City don’t have the same level of interaction.
MARK *
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
*REQUESTED SURNAME WAS OMITTED
I’ve worked for BP and financial services companies and I know they’re very good and supportive. Just the other day there was a new LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] group launched at my firm. Instead my hunch is that smaller companies probably aren’t as great in comparison to big PLCs. Having said that I do know people that work in large organisations and choose not to be completely open about their sexuality because they think that it will inadvertently hit them in one way or another later.
WRIJU RAY
BT
I have a few colleagues who are homosexual and they’re quite open about it. They have the same opportunities as I do. Being sensitive to differing tastes is just a function of literacy but HR processes need to be very thorough and I think a lot depends on who is running the company. I don’t have any data points but I’d assume that the older generation has more orthodox views – but that could be a gross generalisation. I do feel some companies sensationalise the issue to gain publicity, which is completely wrong.