Inclusion, respect and equal opportunities for LGBTQIA+ colleagues, and potential employees, is fundamental to the ethos and values of Ericsson, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Carl Mellander, has said.
Speaking at an Ericsson event at Stockholm Pride 2022, Mellander, an LGBTQIA+ ally and executive sponsor, said the company was proud to be among the global corporate leaders in promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and opportunities in the workplace.
He said: “It is never ever acceptable under any circumstances for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to suffer discrimination or bias because of sexual orientation or gender identity. These rights are strongly supported across the company at Ericsson, from the Global Executive Team downwards.”
Mellander said LGBTQIA+ rights are central to Ericsson’s core values of Professionalism, Perseverance, Respect and Integrity – alongside inclusiveness and diversity spanning ethnicity, nationality, religion, age and gender.
Stockholm-based Ericsson employees will be among tens of thousands of people taking to the streets of Sweden’s capital this week to celebrate the annual festival.
Ericsson is staging a host of events during Stockholm Pride week, including:
- Panel discussion sharing experience of establishing an employee resource group for the LGBTIQA+ community
- Ericsson tent in Pride Park
- Ericsson employees, with family and friends, participating in Pride Parade
Mellander adds: “It is obvious that a business where everyone feels empowered to be their true self is going to perform better. However, this is not the reason why I engage – it comes down to values and a desire to be part of a society where differences are celebrated, and everyone feels at home.”
“It is great to see our Ericsson colleagues celebrating Stockholm Pride Week – and likewise for colleagues across the organization who have already, or will soon be, celebrating their own local Pride events.”
