Skylove, Head of Rewards in the Philippines, wasn’t always as open about who she was – a member of the LGBT+ community – as she is today.
"When I started my career, I put up barriers. I thought my career would be at stake if I showed my full self.” But as she began to progress and find opportunities within Nestlé, she removed her fear and in being her true self with her manager and amongst her colleagues, she found she was both happier and able to fully enjoy her work.
Skylove's personal experience to role model acceptance reflects the inclusion and diversity efforts of our Philippines teams, who were one of the first in the country to extend paid parental leave and other family benefits to same-sex partners.
Chantel Nickson, who is a Business Manager at Purina UK & Ireland, felt extremely fortunate knowing that she could be her authentic self at work, thanks to the support of her colleagues. "One of the most daunting aspects of being transgender is the moment when you begin to present yourself differently in the workplace and perhaps ask people to use a new name and pronouns," she says.
My colleagues at Nestlé have been a big source of strength for me in both coming out as transgender and starting my transition. Without their support it would have made this difficult step so much harder for me.Chantel
Things have come a long way too, for Emma Scott, Business Solutions Team Lead, Nestlé UK & Ireland. "In my first job, I didn't know whether it was ok to come out, or even if I was comfortable coming out myself," she says. Then she found the courage to reveal her LGBT+ identity to her colleagues shortly after joining Nestlé.
LGBT+ network
She took it a step further: Emma went on to create the first LGBT+ network for Nestlé UK and Ireland. "In 2015, it was just myself and another person presenting our business case to the executive board to create a network," she says. "We gained their sponsorship, secured the budget, and were given the freedom to work out what our employees wanted to see from the network."
Emma thought it was important for the LGBT+ community to be themselves at work. Having to cover up who you are is not only exhausting, it also holds you back professionally. "In our work, it's important to build rapport. If you're not bringing your whole self to work, you're kind of limiting yourself."
Chantel is now leading the network and knows first-hand the role it plays in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
"My colleagues at Nestlé have been a big source of strength for me in both coming out as transgender and starting my transition. Without their support it would have made this difficult step so much harder for me," she says. "Our network has provided me with a safe space and now the opportunity to support other LGBT+ colleagues."
Allies key to success
Since its founding, the network has provided support to LGBT+ colleagues and created a space for conversations on LGBT+ topics.
Today, the network counts more than 220 LGBT+ employees and allies. It has recently been nominated among the top networks by the British LGBT+ Awards.
Emma attributes a big part of the success of the network to 'allies' – supporters of our community who do not identify as LGBT+.
"Having allies across our business who are equipped with the knowledge to discuss issues and challenge inappropriate behavior and assumptions leads the way for other minorities, too," Emma says.
Committed to LGBT+ equality
In many other markets across the globe where Nestlé operates, similar LGBT+ networks have sprung up. Nestlé is committed to LGBT+ inclusion, providing an open and inclusive working environment where people feel comfortable and confident enough to be themselves at work.
Our corporate values rooted in respect, our public pledge to support the UN’s LGBTI Standards of Conduct, and the group-wide roll-out of a compulsory training program on unconscious bias for all Nestlé employees have, each in their own way, contributed to moving the needle. The launch of our new Nestlé Global Parental Support Policy, offering the same benefits to same-sex and different-sex couples, is also empowering members of the LGBT+ community.
We’re also partnering with LGBT+ civil society groups such as l’Autre Cercle In France, PARKS in Italy, or Pride Connection in Mexico, Colombia and Panama – to name a few. Through these partnerships, we develop a detailed understanding of the issues faced by LGBT+ communities on the ground, which, in turn, helps us to develop programs that are relevant to the local context.
Today Skylove, Chantel, and Emma remain focused as ever on advocating and advancing diversity and inclusion at Nestlé, to help everyone feel safe to be their whole selves at work.
