MSD | 3 Ways We Support the LGBTQ+ Community
Business
At MSD, our commitment to equality goes
beyond the month of June.
While there has been great progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, there’s still work to be done — and we’re proud to play a role in achieving those goals. MSD has a longstanding tradition of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our company and beyond. Here are just a few of the ways we stand by our commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace:
01. Offering inclusive benefits
We strive for a diverse and inclusive
environment, and that means providing a safe and welcoming space for all of our
colleagues. It’s more important than ever that we remain committed to creating
an environment of belonging, equity and empowerment in the workplace.
In 2018, we implemented our “Transgender
and Gender Non-Conforming Employee Inclusion in the Workplace Policy” in the
U.S. to educate our colleagues and ensure that our transgender and gender
non-conforming employees feel safe, protected and welcome. In addition, we’ve
made significant enhancements to our transgender-inclusive benefits. In the
U.S., our medical plan offers a full range of transgender-related coverage. We
also offer an adoption/surrogacy reimbursement program for employees who want
to expand their families through adoption or a third-party surrogate.
Globally, transgender health coverage varies by country and is often limited due to local law or the local health care system. However, we continue to support and encourage our employees globally to elevate their voices and support efforts to effect change wherever possible.
02. How we do business
Our company has consistently scored 100
percent and has been named “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” on the HRC
Corporate Equality Index, the foremost benchmarking survey measuring corporate
policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. By cultivating a
diverse and inclusive workforce, we promote the discovery of the broadest range
of possible medical solutions to address the needs of patients.
That also extends to whom we do business
with outside of our organization. Supplier
diversity is integrated into our company’s vision, creating a
competitive business advantage and driving shareholder value.
“Diversity is critical for innovation and
scientific excellence, as well as for better decision-making and cultural
agility,” says Susanna Webber, SVP and chief procurement officer. “Putting
people first is firmly embedded into the core values of our company, and that
is clearly reflected in our business strategy and procurement processes.”
Our goals go beyond how much we spend with
small and diverse-owned businesses. We also expect our suppliers to share our
same focus on diversity and inclusion, and, in this way, we help to drive
diversity and inclusion on a broader, and even more global scale.
“I did my research before I joined our
company and saw that MSD openly and visibly supports the LGBTQ+ community,”
says Donna Dvorak, product manager for change realization and communications.
“I had a strong feeling that I would be welcome and comfortable here, and I was
right!”
03. A unique approach to employee outreach
Many companies offer resource groups for
employees, but we go a step further. We’ve taken a pioneering and global
approach to our diversity strategy through the creation of Employee Business
Resource Groups (EBRGs), including the Rainbow Alliance.
With more than 3,500 members across 32
chapters around the globe, the Rainbow Alliance works to inspire and grow an
inclusive workplace culture that supports a vibrant network of LGBTQ+
colleagues and allies through talent recruiting and development, community
outreach and business integration.
“I feel proud to know that the Rainbow
Alliance is having an impact on our colleagues,” says Dvorak, who is part of
the leadership team for the Rainbow Alliance in the Czech Republic. “We’re
opening eyes and gaining allies.”