LGBTQ+ Inclusion at ABB: Celebrating Pride Month in Engineering and STEM

Inclusion is essential to global engineering and STEM — and at ABB, this commitment is reflected every day. This article explores ABB’s approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including allyship programs, employee resource groups, workplace recognition and Pride Month celebrations.

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What it looks like to include LGBTQ+ communities in engineering companies and workplaces

• LGBTQ+ STEM professionals are more likely to experience career limitations, harassment, and professional devaluation, according to research published in Science Advances¹
• The United Nations calls on businesses to ending violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, with many companies pledging their support²
  
  Why inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities matter in STEM companies

“At ABB, ‘Come as you are’ is not just a tagline. It’s a commitment that every engineer, every leader, every person walks in knowing they belong. When you feel safe to be yourself at work, everything changes — your creativity, your confidence, your impact. That's what we're building.”

- Luca Condosta, Global Leadership Learning Community Lead and LGBTQ+ Global Program Manager

How ABB implements LGBTQ+ inclusion in practice

ABB aims to building an inclusive workplace so all people from the LGBTQ+ community can focus on doing what is best and helping run what runs the world. This is part of our broader Diversity and Inclusion framework, driven by a three pillar model of governance, inclusive leadership and culture, and partnerships.

Our initiatives for LGBTQ+ include mentoring programs, a comprehensive review of employee benefit policies to ensure inclusion, learning pathways and resources for its employees, active participation in job fairs like Stick & Stones in Germany, and engagement in partnerships and coalitions such as Open for Business, Workplace Pride and Agedo.

ABB's LGBTQ+ inclusion recognition and awards

Workplace Pride Ambassador

ABB reached the level of “Ambassador” in the Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index for demonstrating exceptional performance in all dimensions of policies, employee network, benefits and societal impact. This assessment measures the LGBTQ+ policies and practices for employers.

Open for Business ranking

ABB ranked fourth in the Swiss Market Leaders report titled “The Investment Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Transparency” by Open for Business in partnership with SIX Swiss Exchange. The report identified significant correlations between LGBTQ+ inclusion and business performance.

Global leadership recognition

ABB leaders are being recognized for their inclusion efforts through the INvolve list of Top 100 LGBTQ+ Executive Role Models, the 25 European Role Models by the EPBN-WISE initiative and the LGBTQ+ allyship award shared through myGwork.

Local recognition

ABB was named a Pride Champion in Germany and a Top Role Model Company by Edge in Italy. ABB was recognized by Equidad CL in Chile and certified by Presente in Peru.

How ABB is advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion

Awareness and mobilizing the workforce

2021

• Implemented a clear statement of its D&I ambitions in every job posting to welcome everyone from the outset
• Signed the UN Standards of Conduct for LGBTQ+ rights
• Established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for Pride across the Americas and Europe
• Launched an advocacy campaign in Switzerland
• Engaged 2,500 employees in inaugural Pride Month celebrations

Awareness to action

2022

• Created an allyship guideline, published ally booklets and launched learning paths focused on allyship
• Introduced a global reverse mentoring program—pairing up senior leaders with members from the LGBTQ+ community, to understand challenges and changes required
• Conducted the Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index to gain insights into ABB’s inclusivity positioning
• Launched new ERGs in Brazil and Chil
• 3,500 employees celebrated Pride with more than 700 people completing learning paths

Systemic change

2023

• Revised the ABB Code of Conduct to include a clause that enforces zero tolerance against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
• Through a review of ABB’s benefits policies, confirmed that all benefits under scrutiny were truly inclusive for employees, including LGBTQ+, covering everything from paid parental leave to life insurance, retirement plans, disabilities and critical illness, and the Employee Assistance Program.
• Introduced the internal LGBTQ+ ally of the year award at ABB
• Launched an ERG, awareness program and systemic changes in India
• 4,600 employees were involved in Pride Month celebrations with 1,200 people completing learning paths

Expanding efforts

2024

• Participated in panels on the topic of LGBTQ+ with Open For Business and other local non-profit organizations
• Increased the number of role models and highlighted their inclusive behaviors as best practice.
• Expanded employee resource groups
• Offered leadership upskilling
• 6,800 employees participated in Pride Month celebrations across global events

Ongoing progress and recognition

2025

• Reached Ambassador level in the Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index for exceptional performance in policies, employee networks, benefits, and societal impact.
• Recognized as one of the top 5 companies in an LGBTQ+ inclusion transparency report by Open for Business and the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange
• Celebrated ABB leaders and local businesses for their inclusion efforts through global and regional lists
• 7,700 colleagues celebrated Pride Month globally