Bloomberg receives Japan’s leading award for LGBTQ+ initiatives and highest certification for cross-sector collaboration in this area

Bloomberg today announced it has won its third consecutive Gold Award in the PRIDE Index 2022 and also been awarded the “Rainbow” certification in recognition of its cross-sector collaboration in support of LGBTQ+-related initiatives.

The PRIDE Index was created by work with Pride, a voluntary group that supports the promotion of LGBTQ+-related initiatives within businesses in Japan. The index evaluates organizations’ LGBTQ+-related initiatives based on five criteria: policy, representation, inspiration, development, and engagement/empowerment. Bloomberg satisfied all requirements and received a perfect score in each of these categories.

Since 2021, the PRIDE Index has recognized the increasing role companies and organizations play in the promotion of understanding LGBTQ+ issues and protecting LGBTQ+ rights in Japanese society. It has also established a “Rainbow” certification, which recognizes companies that promote collaboration across sectors, together with national and local governments, academic institutions, NGOs and NPOs, and other companies.

The Rainbow certification is awarded to companies that satisfy three criteria: previous Gold certification in the PRIDE Index, public support for LGBTQ+ legislation in Japan, and implementation of initiatives to promote the understanding and protection of LGBTQ+ rights, both within their own organization and in collaboration with other entities that transcend sectors.

In Japan, Bloomberg supports the efforts of Lawyers for LGBT Allies Network (LLAN) and Business for Marriage Equality in their efforts to achieve legislated marriage equality. Bloomberg’s Corporate Philanthropy team partners with NPO ReBit and its Diversity Career Center to provide ongoing ‘Role Model’ talks and internships for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, as well as mentoring for young LGBTQ+ people. Bloomberg received the Rainbow certification for its ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ employees and allies to learn about the diverse range of career options available to them through collaboration with our external partners.

Bloomberg is deeply committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees through engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. Bloomberg’s global, employee-led LGBTQ+ & Ally Community (BPROUD) engages in activities to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the LGBTQ+ community among employees and is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace. Bloomberg also conducts training sessions regarding current LGBTQ+ issues for all its employees and briefing sessions on diversity and inclusion for new hires.

Alisha Fernando, Bloomberg’s Head of Diversity and Inclusion in APAC, said, “Bloomberg has a corporate culture of mutual recognition and respect, and we are extremely pleased to have received this award and certification in recognition of these efforts. By learning about each other through open dialogue, we can empower one another and grow together. This helps us to attract, develop, and retain a highly talented and diverse group of professionals to our company. In turn, this ensures that Bloomberg and its people positively contribute to the ongoing growth and development of the communities in which we live and work.”

For more on Bloomberg’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts, read here.