Guidance
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is intended to support companies in their implementation of the Standards of Conduct for Business: Tackling Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex & Queer People (UN Standards of Conduct).
The purpose of the Tool is to guide companies in a self-assessment and scoring system to identify gaps in their implementation of the Standards; and to provide recommendations on how to close those gaps and strengthen policies, processes, and methodologies to support LGBTIQ+ inclusivity. While during the development process the Tool has undergone multiple pilot and testing phases. We acknowledge that this is the first version that is publicly available. Overtime, and through the uptake and feedback of companies, the Tool will be adjusted and improved.
The following points will clarify some aspects of the Tool and may be useful to refer to as companies work through the self-assessment:
Getting started
» Companies should assign an individual or team that will be the owner of the completion of the self-assessment. For example, this could be someone on the Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources or Sustainability teams. However, the owner will need to prepare information on policies and programs from across the company for a full assessment given it covers multiple areas and business functions including Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, Procurement, Marketing, Corporate Sustainability, among others.
» Companies should expect the completion of the self-assessment to take between 7-9 hours. This can be done in multiple takes, as your work can be saved and returned to when you are ready. Using the same log-in information, multiple individuals at your organization can access the self-assessment, so that different departments can input into the self-assessment.
Completing the assessment as a multinational company
» Companies that have operations in multiple countries may choose to answer these questions from a global, headquarters perspective or from a specific region or country. Companies can decide either way but have to ensure the assessment is taken in a standardized and consistent way.
» Companies that have operations in multiple countries may choose to answer the questions from the perspective of their headquarters. In this case, when company practices differ across regions and countries, to ensure all people are covered, you should respond for the region or country with the least coverage. In addition, in this process, you may need to invite leaders of country operations to answer on behalf of the regions and countries that they represent.
» Companies may also choose to answer the questions from the perspective of one or each of their operations. In this case, you will need to consult with additional representatives within the company across the different operations. The initial user can create a corporate code which can then be shared to subsequent users. When creating the additional accounts, the subsequent users can input the corporate code to tie the operation results to the corporate results.
» You may see questions with an option for “N/A”, or “unless location/ country prevents” – you can select these options if, for example, you do not have these processes in place (i.e., for questions related to self-identification systems).
Analyzing and using the results
» The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool sets ambitious expectations for company uptake and implementation of the Standards. Don’t be discouraged if your results are lower than you expect! The purpose of undergoing the assessment is to identify gaps and opportunities for companies to advance LGBTIQ+ inclusivity practices within the company – it is a learning platform. You should focus on analyzing the areas of improvement to inform and prioritize policies, programs and next steps. The final result can be a helpful indicator to evolve progress over the years within your company.
» The results are provided in a concise and clear format so companies can easily identify areas for improvement. Once you have completed the Tool you will be able to analyze the results in two ways: in an aggregated way, which complies the final result and provides the user an overall snapshot of where it stands when it comes to LGBTIQ+ inclusivity practices, as well as by theme and questions, which allows for a more granular analysis of where the areas of strength and areas of improvement and focus lie.
» Remember, your responses are anonymous – only you have access to the responses and results. The data can help you drive change in your organization.
» Once the Tool generates enough data, you will be able to benchmark your company at the aggregate level against companies by sector, region, country, and size.
Things to keep in mind before taking action:
» For all questions, particularly for questions referring to Standard 4, In the Marketplace, it is fundamentally important to consult with local LGBTIQ+ organizations to conduct risk assessments prior to taking action, and to identify actual and potential harms to the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
» For all questions, it is fundamentally important to consider how different identities within LGBTIQ+ and SOGIE may experience the policies and practices in question (i.e., policies that protect lesbian and gay people — but do not address trans people).
FAQs
1. Why should my company use the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool?
While many companies may have policies and programmes to advance LGBTIQ+ equality within their company, there is an opportunity to leverage the power of business to drive change in a broader sense - ensuring those policies and programmes reach their employees, those of their business partners, and the communities at large wherever business is done. This Tool aims to help your company set your direction on LGBTIQ+ equality by identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities in existing policies and programs across your workplace, marketplace, and community. By completing the self-assessment, you will learn good practices on advancing LGBTIQ+ equality from around the world, have the opportunity to measure progress over time, benchmark against peers and industry standards, and leverage resources for continuous improvement.
2. Is this an auditing or certification tool?
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is a self-assessment for businesses to identify strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement in existing LGBTIQ+ equality policies, programs and initiatives. The Tool is voluntary, and will help companies of all sectors and sizes to implement the UN Standards of Conduct and identify areas where further action can be taken. The Tool is based on self-reporting and is intended to be a learning platform. The data is not third-party validated and thus does not serve as a reporting mechanism, auditing tool, or certification. It is also an entirely confidential process.
3. How was the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool developed?
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is anchored in the UN Standards of Conduct for Business in Tackling Discrimination against LGBTIQ+ People developed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and supported by the United Nations Secretary-General. The UN Standards of Conduct build on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.
The development of the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool involved consultations with over 15 LGBTIQ+ rights civil society organizations (CSOs) representing all global regions, and with over 20 companies participating in the Partnership for Global LGBTIQ+ Equality (PGLE), an initiative of BSR, OHCHR, and the World Economic Forum. The consultations were accompanied by a series of expert reviews with the OHCHR, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and OutRight Action International. Development of the Tool was made possible by the generous support of BCG.
4. Is the Tool intended for multinational corporations or subsidiaries?
We recognize every company structure is different, so we leave it to your company to decide how best to utilize the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool with your country subsidiaries. However, we do note that LGBTIQ+ equality is contextual, thus you might find it beneficial for subsidiaries to take the Tool at the country level so they can accurately reflect their current country context. It is important that the approach taken is consistent throughout the entire self-assessment.
5. Is this Tool relevant for small- and medium-sized enterprises?
Yes, companies of all sizes are encouraged to take the assessment. While we recognize small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may have fewer resources and/or capacity to immediately address all the areas in which they can have maximum impacts, the self-assessment can help identify an action plan and priority areas. The nature of the business may mean that certain questions are not applicable, for example not having a supply chain or marketing activities. In these cases, you can answer N/A.
6. Is this self-assessment only for business? What can other stakeholders do?
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool was developed for the business community, as the main objective is to help companies close the gap in LGBTIQ+ equality in their workplaces, marketplaces, and communities. Only companies will be able to register and complete the assessment. However, other stakeholders including civil society, international organizations, and governments are invited to promote the Tool to the companies in their networks.
7. What information will I need to complete the self-assessment. To whom should I speak within my company about this?
The Tool includes questions about your company’s policies and practices on LGBTIQ+ equality across business functions. You may want to consult the following departments: Procurement; Human Resources; Diversity and Inclusion; Corporate Social Responsibility; Marketing; Product and Research Development; and Community or Government Relations. Pilot companies reported an average of 7–9 hours to complete the self-assessment. The self-assessment can be downloaded as an offline document for previous review and consultation with relevant functions before starting the self-assessment completion online.
8. How frequently should my company take the self-assessment?
Companies are encouraged to take the self-assessment on an annual basis to measure progress over time, or when there are material changes to programs impacting LGBTIQ+ people. To keep aggregate data trends consistent, we ask companies to refrain from submitting multiple assessments within one year, unless there have been major developments in LGBTIQ+ equality policies or programmes.
9. What is the methodology behind the results?
The UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool is composed of 20 multiple-choice questions spread across four themes: Leadership, Workplace, Marketplace, and Community. Each question assesses a key approach to LGBTIQ+ equality within those four themes, such as non-discriminatory recruitment in the workplace and responsible marketing in the marketplace.
The questions have multiple responses and a user is asked to "select all that apply'' to their company. The multiple-choice options indicate specific practices across four management stages: Commitment, Implementation, Measurement, and Accountability. The number of practices varies by question.
Each question is weighted equally and the score is given in a percentage. This question score is calculated based on weights assigned to the four management stages as follows:
Your overall score is an average of the questions. If you answer “not applicable”, the points assigned to that question are not included in the overall score. The highest possible overall score is 100%.
The methodology will continue to evolve as the Tool is regularly reviewed and as learnings on effective approaches to LGBTIQ+ equality emerge.
10. Is there a fee to use the Tool? What are the resources needed?
The Tool is a public good and meant to help companies close the LGBTIQ+ equality gap. There are no fees associated with the Tool.
11. Can the self-assessment be completed in sections? May I save as I go?
Yes, you may save as you go. As soon as you click the “next question” button, your progress is saved. There is also an option to save and complete later.
12. I’ve completed the self-assessment, what happens next?
Congratulations for completing the assessment! Celebrate and share your strengths internally and externally and determine an action plan, based on the resources provided, to address areas in need of improvement. We encourage you to share results with senior leaders at your company to both communicate the company’s strengths as well as highlight the opportunities for further improvement.
Kindly note, the listed areas of improvement are for your company’s knowledge. No required action is necessary, but we encourage you to take the results into consideration when developing your next LGBTIQ+ equality plan of action.
13. I don’t understand a question, or I am having technical difficulties. Who should I reach out to for assistance?
If you are having trouble with any of the questions in the survey, please reach out to PGLE@bsr.org.
14. Will my company’s information remain private?
Protecting your privacy is a top priority. The data entered into the self-assessment is strictly confidential and the results will never be linked back to an individual company or divulged to the public. Data will be solely used in its aggregate form to better understand trends and areas needing further support and resources.
By using the Tool, you will not only benefit from gaining a better understanding of your company’s LGBTIQ+ equality performance, you will also contribute to the collection of valuable data at the aggregate level that will inform future programmatic work.
While not mandatory, companies are encouraged to voluntarily share their results with their stakeholders as a way to initiate dialogue and action on advancing LGBTIQ+ equality.
15. How do I view the scores of my peers?
Unless a company makes their results public on their own website, all company results are confidential. Once the Tool generates enough data, you will be able to benchmark your company at the aggregate level against companies by sector, region, country, and size.
16. Are there any risks to taking the UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool?
No. There are no risks to participating in this assessment. It is purely a learning platform to advance LGBTIQ+ equality.