Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community both in and out of the workplace has always been a huge priority for Dell Technologies. In fact, throughout the past few decades, the company has formed incredible partnerships with organizations that are moving the needle, including Texas Competes, Out and Equal, and GenderCool.
Dell has even gone so far as to voice its opposition against legislation that threatens the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and grown its Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) membership by the thousands.
Indeed, as a company, Dell Technologies takes pride in making the workplace equal for all employees, and ensuring that it is hiring, retaining, and supporting the very best talent no matter who they are or who they love. The company provides a variety of healthcare benefits to its LGBTQIA+ team members, including parental leave and adoption assistance. While not a corporate level taskforce, the Employee Resource Group taskforce offers a gender transition toolkit built by transgender team members who have transitioned themselves, that can be of help to others along their journey.
But Dell also recognizes that the simple act of providing internal resources for team members isn’t enough.
The company believes that tech companies can do more to expand LGBTQIA+ acceptance using their international footprint, especially in countries where members of this community are repressed. Specifically, the company believes that further progress will take support from the greater global community, and that it’s critical that to push forward with the notion of true allyship – supporting one another and standing up for those in our communities who need us most right now.
In a recent blog post, entitled Celebrating PRIDE: More Important Than Ever, Allison Dew, Chief Marketing Officer at Dell Technologies, expounds on this notion, and gives members of the community reasons to celebrate during this month of recognition:
If you’re a member of the LGBTQ community, your perseverance and tenacity to be heard, be understood, and create change is inspiring. Your courage to speak your truth has changed the world. You have shared your stories with me in such relatable ways that we’ve revisited company policies and created measurable change together. And we’re not alone. Companies worldwide are leaning in and standing up for equality, diversity and real inclusion. Our collective voices can help others take notice and then take action. These are reasons to celebrate!
If you’re an LGBTQ ally, you stand side by side with the community to add your voice, strength and understanding. This is critical and immeasurable. We speak on behalf of our coworkers, friends, and family when they’re not there to speak for themselves. And when they’re tired or hoarse, we step in and keep the drumbeat going. We share stories and examples to help others understand the advantages and benefits of a society and world that works for all. These are reasons to celebrate!
With the current global climate, no one can truly predict what tomorrow will bring; however, it is clear that if we stand together and fight for the greater good, a just and equal world will take form.
For more insight into the importance of allyship, check out Allison’s conversation with Erik Day, Senior Vice President, Small Business at Dell Technologies, and Erin Uritus, CEO of Out and Equal Workplace Advocates.
