HSBC has become the first firm in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man to adopt a Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) ‘Ally’ scheme in order to create a more open,
comfortable environment for staff and customers.
Employees who wish to be an LGBT+ Ally will be trained to ensure the working environment
at HSBC is inclusive for all their colleagues, regardless of a person’s orientation. They will be
open to listen or speak to anyone who wishes to discuss their personal experience, as well as
being encouraged to stand up for any misunderstandings on the subject and educate their
fellow colleagues.
HSBC Pride, which started the scheme, is a volunteer-led Employee Resource Group that
seeks to ensure that LGBT+ employees and their allies can perform to the best of their
abilities and fulfil HSBC’s strategic goals in an open, inclusive and supportive environment.
Commenting on the scheme, Claire Slonimski, Head of Middle Office, Corporate
Banking, HSBC said:
“For a business to be effective, its employees need to be absolutely comfortable in their own
skin and HSBC prides itself on providing an open, inclusive and supportive environment
where everyone feels they can be their true self at work.
The Ally programme is an important part of this, and we hope that it will create not just a
more supportive environment for bank employees, but for its customers and the wider
Channel Island and Isle of Man communities too.”
