Commonwealth Bank introduces diversity clause
THE Commonwealth Bank has announced it will introduce a diversity clause into commercial partnership agreements from now on.
The news coincides with the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014, the biennial international gay rugby tournament that will have its official opening ceremony tonight ahead of three-day tournament. The Commonwealth Bank is a principal sponsor.
Matt Comyn, Group Executive Retail Banking Services of the Commonwealth Bank, said the inclusion of the diversity clause was a natural progression for the company.
“We have always partnered with organisations who share our passion for promoting diversity and inclusion. This is an important next step for us in establishing our ongoing commitment to working with our commercial partners to build more inclusive communities,” he said.
“We believe the business community can play an important role in creating a more inclusive environment for Australians of all genders, sexualities, races and ethnicities,” Mr Comyn said.
Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 president Andrew Purchas said more organisations should show their support for diversity.
“The Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 promotes the inclusion of sporting players and supporters with the ambition of eliminating homophobia from sport, so that your sexuality does not impact your enjoyment or willingness to participate,” he said.
“It is wonderful that the Commonwealth Bank will partner with organisations who share their commitment to diversity. This sends a strong message to other businesses, and we are hoping to see more organisations follow the [bank’s] lead.”
The Commonwealth Bank is a member of Pride in Diversity, Australia’s only not-for-profit workplace program designed to assist Australian employers with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) employees.
The company also recently established an LGBTI community and ally network, Unity, in 2012.
(Image: Commonwealth Bank CEO Ian Narev makes the announcement at the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 launch last week. Photo credit: Glitter Photography)
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Great work CommBank and supporting the lead taken by ASB in New Zealand in implementing this practice. The photo is incorrectly attributed. It is Alden Toevs, Chief Risk Officer for CommBank and co-sponsor of the LGBTI inclusion efforts across the Bank. From memory (and I assume unchanged) Ian is a strong advocate for an inclusive work place, but on this occasion Alden was doing the talking.