Major bank empowers LGBTI+ employees and customers through NAB Pride
On of Australia’s largest banks, with more than 32,000 staff, NAB understands the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace. One of the ways it does this is through its support of LGBTI+ employees and customers.
NAB Pride executive co-sponsor and group executive, personal banking, Rachel Slade (pictured below) says NAB Pride is the bank’s dedicated LGBTI+ employee resource group comprised of passionate volunteers and a strong network who drive a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTI+ colleagues and their allies.
“We have more than 32,000 colleagues, and across our organisation we have a huge wealth of experience, beliefs and backgrounds. “We see it as our job to nurture a safe and inclusive workplace that celebrates the diversity of our people and empowers them to be a voice in the community. We believe that when you fully embrace who you are and can be your whole self, you will thrive.”
Slade shares the same commitment to NAB’s more than 8.5 million customers, “making sure they are respected and valued for who they are, no matter how they identify”. “Overall, we’re intent on building a culture based on trust and respect that we can all be proud of, where each of our colleagues feels appreciated and empowered to be their authentic self.”
NAB Pride supports this goal through activities such as hosting networking events for NAB Pride members and allies, running seminars and providing training and aware- ness sessions for employees.
As well as promoting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for colleagues and customers, NAB actively promotes big events on the LGBTI+ calendar, Slade says. Some of the key events it supports each year include International Transgender Day of Visibility; International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT); Wear it Purple Day in support of LGBTI+ AIDS Day.
NAB is also the proud partner of Pride Cup, an organisation dedicated to changing sporting culture so that LGBTI+ people feel safe, welcome and accepted.
Slade says the bank has been a passionate supporter and principal partner of the Midsumma Festival (pictured top) for more than 10 years.
The Midsumma Festival started out as a Melbourne-focused LGBTI+ community event and is now recognised internationally.
“The festival includes a wonderfully diverse program of arts, culture and community events, and connects people in person and virtually via streamed online events that are accessed right across the world,” Slade says.
“NAB’s role as principal sponsor sends a clear message to our diverse colleagues and the community that they have every opportunity to share their true selves.”
The major bank is also a member of Pride in Diversity, Australia’s only not-for-profit workplace program supporting the country’s employers with LGBTI+ inclusion.
In 2022, NAB achieved Platinum Tier employer status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), Australia’s national benchmarking instrument for LGBTI+ workplace inclusion, Slade says.
“As a Platinum organisation, NAB is one of only 12 organisations nationally to achieve this level of workplace inclusion, and this achievement is a testament to our ongoing dedication to creating a workplace where we all belong and are all welcome.
“Most importantly, this reflects upon everyone at NAB and celebrates us as a vibrant and diverse team.”
LGBTI+ community more widely by helping other organisations connect with LGBTI+ networks in business and across the broader community.
“Our commitment to inclusion and diversity also applies to the relationships we have with industry partners,” Slade says.
“We use our status as an AWEI Platinum Tier employer to influence and educate organisations about the importance of building an inclusive and welcoming workplace for colleagues and customers.”
