Sovereign has become the first insurance company to score a Rainbow Tick, which marks it as a welcoming workplace for lgbti staff. “Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees can be themselves is incredibly important for us at Sovereign and we are very proud to become the first New Zealand insurance company to receive the Rainbow Tick,” says the firm’s Chief Officer People and Community Sharron Botica. “The Rainbow Tick gives both our current and future employees confidence that, across all levels of the organisation, we have created an environment where they can thrive.” Botica says Sovereign is establishing a committee of Diversity Champions, supporting a staff lgbtinetwork, reporting on diversity at senior levels and supporting rainbow events. “Diversity is part of our DNA as a company and we’ll continue to encourage staff to build internal networks and provide them with the support to do so as well as look for opportunities to generate awareness across the entire organisation.” Rainbow Tick Programme Director Michael Stevens says its’ encouraging to see how Sovereign staff really understood the value of workplace diversity. “We know that when people can be themselves at work without fear of negative reactions they are better able to work, happier and more productive. This was not just a box-ticking exercise, but a reflection of Sovereign’s culture. Sovereign has set a great example for others to follow,” he says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 19th August 2015 - 2:02pm