Companies of all sizes are realizing not only the social responsibility to their gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and heteroflexible employees but also the many benefits of it while reducing their legal risk exposure in the process. They take a stand to reduce and eliminate the stressful harm that 72% of LGBTQ people report experiencing from un-supportive and sometimes hostile work environments through discrimination in its many forms. If your company doesn’t yet fully support your LGBTQ employees there are steps you can take to raise the bar for equality.
The road to equality has been long and we have not yet arrived at our destination globally let alone here in the US where still today nearly half of the U.S. states do not have full protection for its LGBTQ citizens. Through the vision, courage, hard work and determination of many LGBTQ leaders and community allies, they started the process and continue to work tirelessly toward full equality. It’s important to recognize those companies that stand out in support of their LGBTQ employees and customers. They took and continue to take risks and realizing the right thing to do is always the best approach. Companies can be the bridge when the waters of the political climate churns.
Thank you to the following companies. Not only do they support our equality, they care about our personal and business financial health and security.
MassMutual
A huge stand out is MassMutual. They were one of the first to jump on as an original signatory on the 2013 amicus brief to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). They have taken all the steps to ensure their work culture and the environment is a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ employees and participated in community events and created a Vow to Protect campaign featuring LGBTQ staff talking about what marriage equality means to them. Their products and services such as life insurance, investment, and retirement services are all designed to be inclusive for all customers. It’s awesome when companies use LGBTQ people and couples in their advertising. Often that is most notable during the Pride month of June. MassMutual is again a stand out supporter who is as of right now, the only financial services firm who feature a same-sex couple on their company homepage. Also, MassMutual is a supporter of the Debt Free Guys– IMHO, the best personal finance blog focused on the LGBTQ community where they offer solid advice on getting your finances under control and growing your financial health and freedom.
Mass Mutual supports the LGBTQ community. They are solidly worth your consideration. Do business with a company that supports the whole you.
Wells Fargo
Well prior to same-gender marriage becoming the law of the land nationally in the U.S., Wells Fargo created and sponsored the Accredited Domestic Partner Adviser (ADPA) designation through the College of Financial Planning, the accrediting body of Certified Financial Planning (CFP) professionals. The ADPA training and certification to guide same-sex couples to financial planners versed in special personal finance issues unique to them.
The ADPA educates advisor on state and federal tax issues, retirement planning, wealth transfers, federal taxation, critical health financial planning, and end-of-life needs. Although some of these topics with marriage equality may be the same as heterosexual married couples there are areas that still need special attention with same-sex couples. Further, even though we can marry many couples decide to not marry yet still want to do the right thing and plan for their financial future individually or as a couple.
In 2015, Wells Fargo took its first step in airing a commercial that included a TV commercial featuring a lesbian couple adopting a little girl. They and their employees participate in Pride events around the country.
Capital One
Not only does Capital One support its employees with LGBT friendly policy and benefits, but they also support the general community too. In 2016, Capital One donated $10.3 million to the San Francisco’s LGBT Center renovation capital building project. The San Francisco LGBT Center provides a large array of services like for the youth, medically challenged, employment training and placement as well as assistance to LGBT entrepreneurs.
CapitalOne was a Champion Sponsor of Out & Equal’s 2017 Workplace Summitheld in October of 2017 in Philadelphia. Financial security for most is founded on stable employment and feeling safe at work is the cornerstone workplace equality. Out & Equal is a leading US-based nonprofit global organization that educates and advocates for that workplace equality. With Capital One along with its other sponsors, Out & Equal focus on its core mission.
Capital One doesn’t just publicly market itself as LGBT friendly during the Pride month of June. Despite the potential risk and leveraged the hilariously Ross Mathews in a series of educational online videos. Funny and money don’t
Capital One is a bank holding company that specializes in providing credit cards, loans, banking and savings accounts. LGBT community – What’s in Your Wallet?
Prudential Financial
Prudential and their family of global companies offer insurance, investment management, and other financial products. Research of LGBT money Prudential did in 2012 and 2016 with its LGBT Financial Experience Surveys is a valuable tool in understanding the LGBT financial client invaluable.
In order to continue to grow the strength of the LGBT community, each person needs to be financially solid, through good financial management, good jobs with supportive employers, and build our companies as entrepreneurs. We then can individually provide our time, expertise and financial support to our LGBT community non-profits who support equality goals and persons in need.
JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase was also a sponsor of Out & Equal’s 2017 Workplace Summit held in October of 2017 in Philadelphia. In addition to robust LGBT friendly policies and benefits, their LGBT employee resource group and allies participate in Pride events around the country.
JPMorganChase also featured an article about the Debt Free Guys LGBT personal Finance blog on their website in June 2017 which received lots of positive feedback.
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