WPP joins the Business Coalition for the Equality Act in the U.S.
18 MAR 2021
WPP has joined the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, a group of leading U.S. employers supporting U.S. federal legislation that would provide the same basic protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees as are provided to other protected groups under federal law.
The need for these protections is clear as nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ Americans report having experienced discrimination according to the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBTQ+ advocacy group which launched the Business Coalition for the Equality Act in March 2016.
The Equality Act creates clear, consistent protections ensuring that LGBTQ+ employees are only hired, dismissed or promoted based on their performance. In addition, the bill provides protections from discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in areas such as housing, credit, and jury service.
Jacqui Canney, Chief People Officer at WPP, said: “We strive every day to foster an inclusive culture, one within which all our people feel respected, heard and a deep sense of belonging. We want to be a place where our people can bring their best, most authentic selves to work every day. Not only is this the right thing to do, we also know that diversity and difference unlocks the extraordinary creativity on which our work thrives. The LGBTQ+ community needs our support now more than ever, which is why we’re proud to join the Business Coalition for the Equality Act to help ensure LGBTQ+ people have the legal protections they need and deserve.”