June 17, 2018
Alcoa shares LGBTI inclusion journey with industry peers
Every person should be able to bring their whole selves to work and be valued for their diverse experiences, insights and qualities, according to Alcoa Pinjarra Refinery Manager Mark Hodgson.
Sharing his personal journey in embracing inclusion, Mark inspired a gathering of 30 industry peers at Perth’s first LGBTI* Inclusion Best Practice Forum hosted by Alcoa at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Perth on Tuesday.
The Forum, attended by Shell, Woodside, Newmont Mining, Worley Parsons and other organisations committed to inclusion, discussed the business case for being an LGBTI inclusive workplace. The group highlighted shift work, remote locations and mindset as the key challenges to establishing support for inclusive workplace practices.
Mark said it was proven that companies that invested in diversity outperformed, and employees who felt valued were more creative, innovative and productive in the workplace.
"Not only is the business case clear, but the personal benefits are significant and worth striving for."
As sponsor and global co-Chair of Alcoa’s LGBTI action group, EAGLE (Employees for Alcoa Gay Lesbian Equality), Mark shared his three strategies to embed inclusion in the workplace.
Increasing the membership base of EAGLE to create a critical mass of people, so that the workplace becomes brave enough to speak up, was the important first step according to Mark, followed by educating the workforce to create awareness of LGBTI issues.
He said the third element was to spread the message visibly by speaking with executives from other organisations, attending LGBTI forums and giving hope to LGBTI young people that there were companies that wanted them to work for them, valued diversity and were striving for inclusion.
Alcoa’s participation in the WA Pride Parade was one example of the company’s visible message of inclusion. Alcoa was the first resource company to march in the parade four years ago and employee involvement has grown each year.
Pride in Diversity (PiD), the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTI workplace inclusion, spoke at the Forum on the value of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
Published by PiD, the AWEI is the national benchmarking instrument for LGBTI workplace inclusion from which top employers for LGBTI people are determined. Alcoa has been awarded bronze tier employer status for five consecutive years.
The Forum was a successful catalyst to inspire participants to look at ways to improve systems, strategies and education within their companies.
*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex
ENDS
Media contact
Sonia Nolan, Senior Communications Adviser, 0401 034 103, sonia.nolan@alcoa.com.au
Jane McGuire, Senior Communications Adviser, 0410 694 676, jane.mcguire@alcoa.com.au
Editor’s note
Alcoa has a proud history in Western Australia which it hopes to continue by remaining internationally competitive, attracting ongoing investment and providing jobs for future growth.
- Alcoa employs more than 3,750 people in WA – about 2,000 live in the Peel region
- Alcoa spends $635 million annually in wages, salaries and benefits in WA
- Alcoa invests $1.39 billion in operating and capital expenditure annually in WAAlcoa pays $366 million in taxes (State and Federal) annually
- Alcoa invests $3.6 million in community contributions annually in WA
- More than 75 per cent of Alcoa of Australia’s total annual revenue stays in Australia through wages, local purchasing, taxes, royalties, capital investment and dividends to Australian shareholders
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, with a strong portfolio of value-added cast and rolled products and substantial energy assets. Alcoa is built on a foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back nearly 130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life. Since inventing the aluminum industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to efficiency, safety, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we operate. Visit us online on www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.