ANZ has announced a new policy that grants its employees in Australia and New Zealand who are undergoing gender affirmation six weeks of paid leave, along with the option for up to 12 months of unpaid leave. This initiative aims to support employees during various aspects of their gender affirmation journey, which may include social, medical, and legal transitions.
Fiona MacDonald, ANZ's Diversity and Inclusion Lead, emphasized the significance of this policy as part of ANZ's dedication to fostering an inclusive environment for the LGBTIQ+ community. "This is another example of ANZ’s ongoing commitment to the LGBTIQ+ community and creating an inclusive culture where our people feel a sense of belonging and comfortable to be their authentic selves," she stated.
The provision of six weeks' paid leave is intended to alleviate financial burdens on employees affirming their gender, allowing them not to deplete their annual or sick leave. MacDonald highlighted research indicating that transgender and gender diverse individuals often face lower income levels and employment rates. "The six weeks of paid leave means people who are affirming their gender do not need to exhaust their annual or sick leave entitlements, while also easing some of the financial pressures," she added.
The process of gender affirmation can vary greatly among individuals, encompassing social changes like adopting different dress styles or pronouns; medical interventions such as surgery or hormone therapy; and legal adjustments including changing names or gender markers on official documents.
ANZ employs over 40,000 staff globally and is committed to tackling discrimination against LGBTI people through its adherence to the UN Standards of Conduct for Business. The company's employee resource network, ANZ Pride, comprises more than 2,000 members across 15 countries and has been advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights for over 15 years.
Case studies and spokespeople from ANZ are available upon request.