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Today’s workforce is increasingly diverse, or rather it is now more openly diverse, as more companies strive to provide an inclusive and safe workplace for employees, regardless of their se-xual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race or social background.
Fulfilling the human right for individuals to feel supported and equal, has been proven to result in better business outcomes. A 2019 report shows that companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35 per cent more likely to have above-average financial returns. This trend will likely transfer to other, less studied, diversity groups such as age, social background, se-xual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
The global strategy consultancy, OC&C Strategy Consultants is one of the many companies leading the way for diversity and inclusion.
It runs several diversity and inclusion networks across its business including the OC&C Women’s Network, LGBTQ+ Network, and Ethnic, Cultural & Social Diversity Network.
The LGBTQ+ Network exemplifies how these are set up and run. Its purpose is to build and maintain an environment in which all individuals feel able to bring their whole self to work and feel empowered to succeed, regardless of se-xual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Importantly, its membership includes both (self-identifying) LGBTQ+ employees and allies, including (but not limited to) bise-xual people, trans and non-binary people, LGBTQ+ people of colour and of faith.
The group arranges activities ranging from global networking events during OC&C’s International Training Week, to local networking events both internally and with peers, as well as talks from prominent LGBTQ+ role models. It also has a mentor system to provide advice and support for those who seek it.
A spokesperson for the group said: “As the former Worldwide Managing Partner of OC&C, I have always aspired for this firm to be a place where people can be the best version of themselves. From my own experience of being gay, I know that you perform at your peak when you can be open and relaxed about who you are. Our LGBTQ+ network celebrates the diversity of all the people who make OC&C special.”
OC&C’s commitment to LGBTQ+ issues goes beyond the workplace. It works in partnership with Just Like Us – a charity enabling LGBTQ+ young adults to go back into schools to run events and share personal accounts of their experiences. This is a vital opportunity to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools. In addition to this , OC&C is also a member of Stonewall’s Global Diversity Champions programme.
Founded in 1987, OC&C Strategy Consultants is a global strategy consulting firm that advises clients in the retail, FMCG, leisure, media, communications and technology, industrial products and business services, and private equity sectors.
Its agile business model has allowed it to adapt and lead the way in progressive thinking on initiatives such as the above. This has paid off, in 2020 OC&C rated 4.6/5 on Glassdoor, confirming it as a workplace of choice.
Headquartered in London in the UK, the firm has eleven offices and approximately 500 employees in different parts of the world. OC&C has offices in the Boston, New York, Paris, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Milan, Warsaw and Munich, as well as strategic partnerships in India.
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