Creating Best Workplaces for LGBTQ+ Employees
The Sony Group is committed to diversity as one of its key sustainability initiatives based on Sony's Purpose, "Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology" and on Sony's People Philosophy. We are creating a workplace where each employee can play an active role and work comfortably.
Each individual who provides value characteristic of Sony has their own sexual orientation, gender identity (SOGI*1), and gender expression. The ideas, sensibilities, and values that each employee possesses are the driving force behind innovative thinking, a philosophy that has taken root given Sony's engagement in a diverse and broad range of businesses.
What we value to remain a diverse organization is not only respecting the differences visible from the outside, but also honoring the invisible ones. In order to create an environment where LGBTQ+*2 employees can work with peace of mind, we not only implement tailored responses for each individual but also promote inclusive culture by providing training to deepen the understanding of LGBTQ+ matters among all employees, as well as supporting the activities of ally*3 employees, all while adapting to the realities of each country and region.
We believe that creating a workplace atmosphere where all employees, including LGBTQ+ employees, can be their true selves and work comfortably leads to value creation that delivers inspiration to the world.
- *1: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- *2: A general term for people with diverse sexualities, derived from the initials of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning
- *3: An ally is someone who understands LGBTQ+ issues and takes action to support them
TOPICS
Here is Sony Group’s initiative across countries and regions.
Pride Logo and LGBTQ+ Community
In 2022, as a way to demonstrate our respect and support for LGBTQ+ employees and communities both internally and externally, we created two pride logos featuring rainbow colors that symbolize our pride activities. Sony's Pride Logo is not only displayed during participation in pride parades held in various countries and regions, but is also used in offices and at internal and external events in those places. Sony Group participates in pride parades in various cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Nashville in the United States, as well as in London and Tokyo. During these events, we display the pride logo to show that Sony Group stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Sony believes that LGBTQ+ supportive initiatives need to be addressed by society as a whole. We aim to advance our internal initiatives while actively participating in external events, including Pride parades.
Sony Group Initiatives Across Countries and Regions
In its operations as a global enterprise, Sony Group promotes unique initiatives tailored to the culture of each country, region, and company.
Japan
Communicating LGBTQ+ Initiatives Internally and Externally
We promote e-learning participation and conduct online talk events about LGBTQ+ matters for both internal and external audiences, expanding opportunities for employees to engage with LGBTQ+ supporting information. We also communicated the necessity of addressing these issues beyond the company itself. Additionally, we held training sessions focused on corporate staff from various companies in Japan. Furthermore, we shared a handbook on our internal site so that employees can verify basic knowledge whenever necessary. After deepening employees’ understanding in these ways, Sony Group participated collectively for the first time in Tokyo Rainbow Pride (TRP) 2024. At TRP 2024, ally employees managed a booth, and approximately 150 participants, including executives, employees, their partners, and families, took part in the parade. Additionally, we sponsored and participated in the Diversity Career Forum organized by the NPO ReBit, widely promoting our initiatives to the outside community.
Group photo before the Parade
United States
Improving the Working Environment for Transgender Employees
Sony Corporation of America and Sony Interactive Entertainment reviewed their healthcare plans to align with updated standards set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Sony Music Entertainment installed gender-neutral restrooms at group company locations, with further installation planned for locations under renovation. Employee group OutLoud of Sony Music Group (SMG) also participated in the Nashville Pride Parade. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) employees and leaders joined the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards where SPE was a Gold Sponsor. Additionally, employee business resource group OUT@SPE Culver City participated in the Los Angeles Pride Parade.
Parade scene of SMG
Europe
Employee-led Participation in Pride Events
In the UK, SPE supported Employee Business Resource Group OUT EMEA@SPE, joining Pride in London. Sony Europe supports the LGBTQ+ community and promotes inclusivity by participating in and sponsoring several Pride parade events across Europe including Christopher Street Day Parade in Berlin, LundaPride in Sweden, and Pride Cymru in Cardiff Wales.
Parade scenes at Sony Europe
Initiatives
Sony is actively implementing systems and initiatives to improve the environment and foster an organizational culture.
Here are some examples of these measures in Japan.
Promoting the operation of HR-related systems and infrastructure development
To ensure that LGBTQ+ employees can continue to work authentically, we are focusing on HR-related systems, infrastructure development, and system operations.
For example, in HR-related systems, some benefits that apply to spouses, such as marriage bonuses, bereavement leave, and rent subsidies, are also extended to same-sex partners. In terms of infrastructure development and system operations, we are promoting the use of preferred names within the company, the installation of multi-purpose restrooms, the introduction of gender-neutral uniforms, and voluntary entry of the gender field during the hiring process.
Promoting the establishment of ally networks and active participation in events
The presence of ally employees who understand and actively support LGBTQ+ matters is said to affect the psychological safety and job motivation of LGBTQ+ employees in the workplace. To this end, we are building networks to increase ally employees within our domestic group, and by providing information about internal and external events as well as opportunities for running events, we enable ally employees to actively support LGBTQ+ employees.
PRIDE Index Certification
At Sony, we began internal initiatives, including training sessions for HR, around the time the Special Law on Gender Identity Disorder was enacted (2004). We have also participated in “work with Pride” since 2013 as part of our external efforts. In recognition of our ongoing efforts to date, 19 Sony Group companies in Japan have been awarded Gold in the PRIDE Index 2024 by general incorporated association “work with Pride.”
Nineteen Sony Group Companies Received Gold Certification in “PRIDE Index 2024”
