Frequently Asked Questions
While many companies may have policies and programmes to advance LGBTIQ+ equality within their company, there is an opportunity to leverage the power of business to drive change in a broader sense — ensuring those policies and programmes reach their employees, those of their business partners, and the communities at large wherever business is done. This Tool aims to help your company set your direction on LGBTIQ+ equality by identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities in existing policies and programs across your workplace, marketplace, and community. By completing the self-assessment, you will learn good practices on advancing LGBTIQ+ equality from around the world, have the opportunity to measure progress over time, benchmark against peers and industry standards, and leverage resources for continuous improvement.
No. The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is a self-assessment for businesses to identify strengths, opportunities and areas for improvement in existing LGBTIQ+ equality policies, programs and initiatives. The Tool is voluntary and intended to be a learning platform with the aim of helping companies of all sectors and sizes to implement the UN Standards of Conduct and identify areas for further action The data is not third-party validated and thus does not serve as a reporting mechanism, auditing tool or certification. It is also an entirely confidential process.
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is anchored in the
UN Standards of Conduct for Business in Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI People
developed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and supported by the United Nations Secretary-General.
The UN Standards of Conduct build upon the
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,
adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.
The development of the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool involved consultations with over 15 LGBTIQ+-rights civil society organizations (CSOs) representing all global regions, as well as with over 20 companies participating in the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE), an initiative of BSR, OHCHR and the World Economic Forum. The consultations were accompanied by a series of expert reviews with the OHCHR, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and OutRight Action International. Development of the Tool was made possible by the generous support of BCG.
The development of the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool involved consultations with over 15 LGBTIQ+-rights civil society organizations (CSOs) representing all global regions, as well as with over 20 companies participating in the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE), an initiative of BSR, OHCHR and the World Economic Forum. The consultations were accompanied by a series of expert reviews with the OHCHR, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and OutRight Action International. Development of the Tool was made possible by the generous support of BCG.
We recognize every company structure is different, so we leave it to your company to decide how best to utilize the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool with your country subsidiaries. However, we do note that LGBTIQ+ equality is contextual, thus you might find it beneficial for subsidiaries to take the Tool at the country level so they can accurately reflect their current country context. It is important that the approach taken is consistent throughout the entire self-assessment.
Yes, companies of all sizes are encouraged to take the assessment. While we recognize small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may have fewer resources and/or capacity to immediately address all the areas in which they can have maximum impacts, the self-assessment can help identify an action plan and priority areas. The nature of the business may mean that certain questions are not applicable, for example not having a supply chain or marketing activities. In these cases, you can answer N/A.
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool was developed for the business community, as the main objective is to help companies close the gap in LGBTIQ+ equality in their workplaces, marketplaces, and communities. Only companies will be able to register and complete the assessment. However, other stakeholders including civil society, international organizations, and governments are invited to promote the Tool to the companies in their networks.
The Tool includes questions about your company’s policies and practices on LGBTIQ+ equality across business functions. You may wish to consult the following departments: Procurement; Human Resources; Diversity and Inclusion; Corporate Social Responsibility; Marketing; Product and Research Development; and Community or Government Relations. Pilot companies reported an average of 7–9 hours to complete the self-assessment. The self-assessment can be downloaded as an offline document for previous review and consultation with relevant functions before starting the self-assessment completion online.
Companies are encouraged to take the self-assessment on an annual basis to measure progress over time, or when there are material changes to programs impacting LGBTIQ+ people. To keep aggregate data trends consistent, we ask companies to refrain from submitting multiple assessments within one year, unless there have been major developments in LGBTIQ+ equality policies or programmes.
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is comprised of 20 multiple-choice questions spread across four themes: Leadership, Workplace, Marketplace and Community. Each question assesses a key approach to LGBTIQ+ equality within those four themes, such as non-discriminatory recruitment in the workplace and responsible marketing in the marketplace.
The questions have multiple responses and a user is asked to ''select all that apply'' to their company. The multiple-choice options indicate specific practices across four management stages: Commitment, Implementation, Measurement and Accountability. The number of practices varies by question.
Each question is weighted equally and the score is given in a percentage. This question score is calculated based on weights assigned to the four management stages as follows:
Your overall score is an average of the questions. If you answer “not applicable”, the points assigned to that question are not included in the overall score. The highest possible overall score is 100%.
The methodology will continue to evolve as the Tool is regularly reviewed and as learnings on effective approaches to LGBTIQ+ equality emerge.
The questions have multiple responses and a user is asked to ''select all that apply'' to their company. The multiple-choice options indicate specific practices across four management stages: Commitment, Implementation, Measurement and Accountability. The number of practices varies by question.
Each question is weighted equally and the score is given in a percentage. This question score is calculated based on weights assigned to the four management stages as follows:
Your overall score is an average of the questions. If you answer “not applicable”, the points assigned to that question are not included in the overall score. The highest possible overall score is 100%.
The methodology will continue to evolve as the Tool is regularly reviewed and as learnings on effective approaches to LGBTIQ+ equality emerge.
No, there is no fee associated with the Tool. The Tool is a public good and is intended to help companies close the LGBTIQ+ equality gap at their workplaces and beyond.
Yes, you may complete the self-assessment in sections and save as you go. By clicking the “next question” button, your progress will be automatically saved. There is also an option to save and complete later.
Congratulations on completing the assessment! Celebrate and share your strengths both internally and externally, then, use the resources provided to develop an action plan to address areas in need of improvement. You are also encouraged to share results with senior leaders at your company to both communicate the company’s strengths as well as highlight opportunities for improvement.
Kindly note, the listed areas of improvement are solely for your company’s knowledge. While action is not required, the results can be used both in the development of future policies and programmes and as a way to measure your company’s progress over time.
Kindly note, the listed areas of improvement are solely for your company’s knowledge. While action is not required, the results can be used both in the development of future policies and programmes and as a way to measure your company’s progress over time.
Please email
PGLE@bsr.org
with a description of the issue or question.
Yes, protecting your privacy is a top priority. The data entered into the self-assessment is strictly confidential and the results will never be linked back to an individual company or shared with the public. Data will be solely used in its aggregate form to better understand trends and areas needing further support and resources.
By using the Tool, you will not only benefit from gaining a better understanding of your company’s LGBTIQ+ equality performance, you will also contribute to the collection of valuable data at the aggregate level that will inform future programmatic work.
While not mandatory, companies are encouraged to voluntarily share their results with their stakeholders as a way to initiate dialogue and action on advancing LGBTIQ+ equality.
By using the Tool, you will not only benefit from gaining a better understanding of your company’s LGBTIQ+ equality performance, you will also contribute to the collection of valuable data at the aggregate level that will inform future programmatic work.
While not mandatory, companies are encouraged to voluntarily share their results with their stakeholders as a way to initiate dialogue and action on advancing LGBTIQ+ equality.
Unless a company makes their results public on their own website, all company results are confidential. Once the Tool generates enough data, you will be able to benchmark your company at the aggregate level against companies by sector, region, country and size.
No, there are no risks to participating in this assessment. It is purely a learning platform for businesses to advance LGBTIQ+ equality.