The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma, and EMD Electronics in the U.S. and Canada.
#YouAreIncluded
The Rainbow Network USA & Canada
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The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma, and EMD Electronics in the U.S. and Canada.
What Are We All About?
The Rainbow Network USA and Canada acts to promote a safe and inclusive work environment and foster a community in which LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer) employees and their allies are recognized and valued as part of the diverse cultural mix within all levels of our company.
We believe that our differences should be celebrated and that an inclusive culture inspires creativity, innovation, and will encourage each of us to reach our full potential and do amazing work together.
“The Rainbow Network serves to bring together and elevate the voices of our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to create a strong sense of belonging at our company so that all employees can bring their true and authentic selves to work.”
- Rainbow Network USA and Canada Steering Committee
10 Ways To Create An LGBTQ+ Inclusive Culture
There are plenty of great resources online (The Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and the ACLU to name a few) where you can educate yourself on LGBTQ+ topics, issues, and themes.
The LGBTQ+ acronym includes many different sexual orientations, including Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning.
Chances are that you have LGBTQ+ individuals within your circle.
Having someone to talk to when you feel that you are part of a minority group can be a huge comfort. Make sure that you are a trusted listener for colleagues in need.
Inspect and challenge your own unconscious biases or prejudices to make sure they are not negatively impacting others.
Scrutinizing your usage of gender-neutral terms like “team” versus “guys” can help everyone feel welcomed and included.
Show your support however you are most comfortable – whether that is participating in pride events or bringing up inclusion topics with your team.
Question your own assumptions about who might like certain types of work or social events and be inclusive of all of your colleagues.
Seek out others who share different backgrounds than your own to alter your perspective and provide support for underrepresented groups.
All people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. If you see or hear LGBTQ+ people being mistreated, say something!
Accomplishments / Activities
The Rainbow Network USA and Canada has helped enable our company to:
Internal Employee Culture
- Participate in the Corporate Equality Index – scoring 100% in 2021 to be recognized as a top employer for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
- Hold annual employee events for Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Transgender Day of Visibility, Lesbian Visibility Day, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Pride Month, National Coming Out Day, and World AIDS Day
- Vet and promote trainings for employees concerning LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace
- Hold a campaign discussing the importance of correct pronoun usage
- Facilitate unconscious bias trainings for employees across the company
- Distribute a company-wide desk drop document titled "10 Ways to Create an LGBTQ-Inclusive Culture"
- Hang the Pride Flag at company sites for Pride Month
External Stakeholder Engagement
- Sponsor the Out & Equal Summit in 2019, 2020, and 2021
- Partner with Corporate Affairs and external organizations to advocate in favor of legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community and against discriminatory laws
- Join the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Business Coalition for the Equality Act
- Sign and support a business coalition letter opposing state-based legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community
- Produce public policy statements on the importance of Diversity & Inclusion
- Partner with Talent Acquisition ensure our company has a presence at key LGBTQ+ recruitment events
- Engage our community through local organization partnerships
Paul Treadgold, Director, Corporate Policy and External Affairs USA and Chair, Rainbow Network USA and Canada
Our Steering Team
Additional Company Information
For us, scientific progress and responsible entrepreneurship go hand in hand, enabling us to create a sustainable future for everyone.
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We respect diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that allows everyone to maximize their potential.
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More than half the world’s population still does not have adequate access to health. That’s why we have made it a high priority to address this global health challenge.
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