Wavestone : makes a commitment to its LGBT+ staff

On Friday September 27th, prompted by its diversity and inclusion network, Wavestone For All, the consulting firm Wavestone signed the LGBT+ Charter of L'Autre Cercle, which aims to ensure the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people in their workplace. The firm has thereby joined 130 signatories to the charter: a decisive step that firmly establishes Wavestone's commitment in terms of LGBT+ and is in keeping with its policy promoting diversity and the fair treatment of its applicants and employees, one of its 8 CSR commitments.

The LGBT+ charter: commitment on a global scale

Following an internal survey on the inclusion and wellbeing of LGBT+ staff as well as a series of participatory workshops, the independent in-house network Wavestone For All* drafted an action plan, which was presented to the firm's executive committee in summer 2019. One of the main short-term actions decided upon was the signing of the LGBT+ Charter.

Since September 27th, Wavestone has been a signatory to L'Autre Cercle's LGBT+ Charter, alongside 130 other current signatories, including global companies, consulting firms, audit and legal firms, and governmental entities. The official signing took place in Paris, in the presence of L'Autre Cercle association, Pascal Imbert (CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Wavestone), Fanny Rouhet (HR Director for Wavestone), Sévérine Hassler (Wavestone's CSR Manager), and Christine Ervé (Co-founder of the Wavestone For All network).

Created in 2012 on the initiative of L'Autre Cercle**, the LGBT+ charter is the leading European initiative in this field which aims to promote diversity, combat discrimination and guarantee better integration of LGBT+ people.

By signing it, Wavestone commits to:

• Create an inclusive environment for LGBT employees
• Ensure equal rights and treatment for all, regardless of their sexual orientation and sexual identity or gender
• Support employees who are victims of discriminatory language or actions
• Measure progress and share good practices to improve the general workplace environment

Wavestone's offices abroad are also party to this initiative.

'This charter demonstrates Wavestone's commitment at the highest level. We must now roll out this commitment operationally to everybody in our day-to-day lives, in our recruitment and management practices, in our HR parental/health/insurance arrangements, etc. Our aim is that all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation, are protected from any form of discrimination, have the same advantages and the same employee experience within the firm' adds Fanny Rouhet, Head of HR Development.

Wavestone: aiming to be a responsible employer

This LGBT+ commitment is entirely in keeping with Wavestone's CSR initiative, structured around 4 strategic approaches divided into 8 objectives:

Be a responsible employer: encourage the development and fulfillment of employees; strive for diversity and the fair treatment of our employees and applicants.

Be a trusted partner: guarantee adherence to the rules of transparency and ethics, and protect data throughout our value chain.

Be a committed consulting firm: integrate CSR issues into our consulting practice.

Have a positive social footprint: limit the environmental impact of our business; support projects that create societal value and put our skills at their disposal.

The firm's employees, closely associated with the company's project, are involved in the daily construction and facilitation of this initiative, whether overseeing work in progress, taking part in workshops, mentoring activities or skills sponsorship, or by launching new initiatives,which ultimately move the company in the right direction.

'Along with a group of employees, I founded the independent in-house network, Wavestone For All, to promote diversity and inclusion within the firm through concrete actions by listening to all stakeholders. LGBT+ swiftly emerged from the workshops with employees as a priority. Inappropriate or clumsy behavior had been reported and often remained invisible. A collective raising of awareness was essential' explained Christine Ervé, Manager Digital & Emerging Technologies and Co-founder of Wavestone For All.

'One of Wavestone's CSR objectives is to become a responsible employer, with the goal of promoting diversity and fair treatment for all our applicants and employees, and fostering the development and fulfillment of all. Several years ago, that prompted us to take measures with regard to equality between men and women, and more recently to create a disability initiative. Thanks to Wavestone For All, we are now starting a new chapter on the LGBT theme. We would probably have taken longer to identify the difficulties that this initiative has highlighted' observes Séverine Hassler, Head of CSR for the firm.

* Wavestone For All is an independent network of employees that considers issues of Diversity and Inclusion within Wavestone.

** L'Autre Cercle is an association of LGBT+ professionals (Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans, and their friends), whose vision is a workplace that is fulfilling, inclusive and respectful of people in their diversity regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In particular it aims to prevent and combat discrimination in the workplace.

The LGBT+ Commitment Charter is available on the L'Autre Cercle website (www.autrecercle.org): here

About Wavestone

In a world where knowing how to change is the key to success, Wavestone's mission is to enlighten and guide large companies and organizations in their most critical transformations with the aim of creating a positive outcome for all stakeholders. We call it 'The Positive Way'.

Wavestone has over 3,000 employees in 8 countries. It is one of the leading independent consulting firms in Europe, and is the top independent consulting firm in France.

Wavestone is listed on the Euronext in Paris and is certified as a Great Place To Work®.

For further information, consult www.wavestone.com@wavestoneFR

Press contacts