Financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) has introduced its first ever dedicated trans and non-binary equality policy, designed to protect and support its trans and non-binary employees.
Launched today (28 March) just ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March), Hargreaves Lansdown worked with its LGBTQ+ network Kaleidoscope to create the policy to improve the inclusivity and diversity of its workforce.
According to Hargreaves Lansdown, it has introduced the policy as a way of celebrating and valuing the diversity of its staff.
This includes signalling its understanding that gender is more complex than the traditionally understood binary definitions, and that trans and non-binary rights are human rights. The organisation is also actively working to improve the client experience to make sure this too is accessible and inclusive to everyone.
The policy outlines the support and reasonable adjustments available to trans and non-binary staff, is designed to raise awareness and understanding across the business, and help managers in their responsibility to support anyone who needs it.
It provides information on the responsibilities of staff and managers. Available support is also outlined, which includes helping people to experience a smooth process when changing their name and providing documentation, helping workers have control over how much personal information they need to disclose, and providing guidance to help manage individual transitions and experiences in the workplace.
Rob Divall, chief people officer and sponsor of Kaleidoscope, said: “This is an important step as part of our diversity and inclusion strategy to improve the experiences for both colleagues and clients. Our new policy sets out a clear commitment to trans equality, uplifting the rights of trans and non-binary people and putting provisions in place to support people to live authentically at work, including during transition, should they need it.”
Ally Clayton-Marucci, Kaleidoscope co-chair, added: “It is of utmost importance that Hargreaves Lansdown has a supportive culture and environment where trans and non-binary colleagues can thrive and are supported at work. The implementation of this policy is an important step to ensuring that HL continues to be an inclusive workplace for both colleagues and clients.”