United IN DIVERSITY
“ERNST & YOUNG LLP ( EY) IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN ASSURANCE, TAX, TRANSACTION AND ADVISORY SERVICES. THE INSIGHTS AND QUALITY SERVICES WE DELIVER HELP BUILD TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE CAPITAL MARKETS AND IN ECONOMIES THE WORLD OVER. WE DEVELOP OUTSTANDING L
Unity is EY’s LGBT Network. When and why was it established? How many members do you have? Unity was established in 1995 to help set the firm’s direction on LGBT inclusiveness in the workplace and was one of the first of its kind in the private sector. We currently have about 350 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally EY professionals on our mailing list. How important is diversity to EY? A key tenet of EY’s strategy is to create the highest performing teams – comprised of the best talent and managed properly. To accomplish this from a business perspective, our teams must be diverse and inclusive. We support diversity in the community through partnerships with organisations around the world like Gay Games IX, Stonewall, National Student Pride, Human Rights Campaign, The 30% Club, GLEN, Community Business, NGLCC and Out & Equal to name but a few. Apart from Unity what other diversity groups are there at EY? In the UK & Ireland, EY has 21 professional networks which cover gender, multiple ethnicities, faith, religion, abilities and caring responsibilities. How do you think attitudes to LGBT issues have changed over the years in professional services? Is there still room for change? Professional services organisations and their clients have continued to focus on LGBT issues, consistently challenging how we do business and how to support our employees. Together we have pushed the dial on issues that matter to our people. EY is proud to have been a leader in this space and we believe that whilst the UK has reached civil equality, there is still much more to be done to create equal workplaces everywhere. What is it like working as a gay man or woman at EY?
VICTOR: I have been with the firm for 13 years and have had a phenomenal experience. You do not always realise your ability to influence others. When I joined the EY Capital Markets group in the UK, I was one of less than 20 professionals and the only out gay man. Today we have nearly 70 professionals of which about 10% are out as LGBT.
SAM: I’ve been with the firm five years and my experiences have also been overwhelmingly positive. I work in the Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services (FIDS) team and in that relatively brief time it is evident that we have created a culture that attracts diversity: I’ve met at least three new FIDS colleagues to our ever-growing team through recent Unity events – a great testament to the value we place on differences.
VICTOR: We have created an environment where our LGBT professionals and allies alike have space to be authentic and to be part of high performing teams – the results in the past couple of years have shown this.
How important is it for you to be out at work?
VICTOR: For some individuals, the office actually can become a “safe space” to be themselves. Working for a firm and a department where I can be out at work actually helps me to get the job done! EY afforded me the confidence to come out at home nearly 10 years ago, so I say never underestimate the value of working for an employer which values your differences and gives you that opportunity.
SAM: It’s hugely important. Picking up on Victor’s point, it allows me to focus 100% on my job. The distraction of worrying about being “found out” can be exhausting. By being out I can channel my energies in getting the work done, without having to check what I’m saying to colleagues and clients. Has your sexuality ever been an issue either at work or when dealing with home – or overseas – clients? The decision to come out to clients as an LGBT professional is not without its challenges. EY encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work and we expect our clients to respect our code of conduct, which is one of the cornerstones of our inclusive culture.
VICTOR: I did not initially realise how sharing aspects of my personal life with clients could strengthen our personal connection. My role has placed me in front of clients throughout Europe and I have learned there is value in authenticity. I have not had a problem, though I still treat each interaction individually.
SAM: I’m delighted to say no, and at EY it’s evident that diversity is valued at every level and across the firm. I do, however, acknowledge that my positive experiences are not echoed by everyone. It is this that drives us, individually and collectively, at EY to continue drive change where prejudice remains.