Enterprise Rent-A-Car today announced its official partnership with GLEN, the Gay Lesbian Equality Network, by becoming a member of GLEN’s Diversity Champions Programme. This follows Enterprise Rent-A-Car Diversity and Philanthropy Week, which took place in March, when Enterprise dedicated the full week to showcasing and celebrating the company’s diversity and philanthropy through a number of initiatives and events.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the first medium sized company in Ireland to partner with GLEN and joins other leading employers such as IBM and Ernst & Young as programme members.
George O’Connor, Managing Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ireland, said: “Our partnership with GLEN is testament to our continuous endeavours for diversity in the workplace. We recognise and understand the importance of supporting diversity in the workplace. We hope with guidance from GLEN we can develop our commitment to diversity and that current and future employees view us as forward thinking employers.”
Leslee O’Loughlin, Group Human Resource Manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car added: “For Enterprise Rent-A-Car, partnering with Glen as a Diversity Champion gives us access to invaluable resources and expertise – helping us to build a truly inclusive and supportive working environment for all and allowing everyone to thrive regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Davin Roche, Director of Workplace Diversity & Community Development Policy for GLEN, said: “GLEN is confident that Ireland can become a place where all LGBT people can feel safe and confident about being open regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity at home, in work and within the wider community.
“More and more companies in Ireland are recognising the real value to their businesses of diversity among their staff. It’s simple: people perform best when they can be themselves. LGBT employees who can be themselves in safe and respectful work environments do better. GLEN envisages a future where LGBT people can make an even more creative and dynamic contribution to the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.”
Diversity Champions is Ireland’s workplace diversity programme assisting employers with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Through Diversity Champions members can showcase their company as a forward thinking, creative employer that is committed to the business case for diversity. Diversity Champions helps employers understand the business case for being inclusive of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. It gives them the confidence and the know-how to make their policies, culture and services inclusive. It gives leading employers an opportunity to be recognised as Diversity Champions, connecting them with other Diversity Champions, policy makers, thought leaders, clients, potential employees and customers.
Over 12,000 people in Ireland are employed in a Diversity Champion member company. Currently there are 150,000 LGBT people in the workforce. One in four LGBT people in Ireland have been harassed at work at some point. LGBT staff in inclusive work places are less likely to leave and are more productive.
