JLL Hong Kong recognised for creating inclusive workplaces

HONG KONG, 15 June 2021 - JLL is pleased to announce that JLL Hong Kong recently garnered the Equal Opportunity Employer Award for the Gender Equality, Equality for Diverse Abilities categories in the inaugural Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) along with a Bronze rating in Community Business 2021 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index.

In order to be awarded by the EOC, JLL has demonstrated commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities values and adopted commendable equal opportunities, and diversity and inclusion policies and practices in gender and diverse abilities. EOC has introduced the Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme on the 25th year of its operation in 2020 and received overwhelming responses with a total of 420 applications from a wide spectrum of industries and organisations.

The Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index, run every two years since 2015 by Community Business, is Asia's first benchmark on corporate policies and practices for creating inclusive workplaces for LGBT+ employees. This year, 37 organisations participated in the Index, varying from large multi-nationals to small NGOs from multiple industries, including financial services, hospitality, pharmaceutical, technology, legal, media, properties and real estate and the third sector.

JLL encourages employees to bring their whole self to work and has recently introduced a new HR policy in Hong Kong. Under the new policy, same-sex couples are eligible for the same benefits as heterosexual married couples when providing a personal relationship declaration with supporting documentation. This is a progressive step in Hong Kong, and based on a previous benefits design practice report provided by our consultant, only 11% of companies based in Hong Kong provided medical benefits to same-sex couples.

Gavin Morgan, Managing Director, JLL in Hong Kong, said: “This is the first time JLL Hong Kong has been awarded a ranking standard in the Community Business Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index, the highest rated real estate organisation in the city, as well as receiving recognition of the Equal Opportunity Employer Award for the Gender Equality, Equality for Diverse Abilities categories at the same time is a true testament of our efforts and commitment to upholding the values of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. With our new HR policy granting same-sex couples the same access to benefits as heterosexual married couples, JLL is proud to take the lead in providing an inclusive environment and associated benefits for all our colleagues.”