Spain’s Business Community Unites to Address International LGBTQ+ Recruitment & Retention Challenges

Representatives of the companies recognized by myGwork with the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, Begoña Villacís.

Last week, Spain’s leading organizations got together to discuss the International LGBTQ+ recruitment and retention challenges, at an event organized by myGwork, the business community for LGBTQ+ professionals, in cooperation with IE University's IE Out&Allies Club, the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, CENTRHO and REDI.

In recent years, Spain’s cities like Madrid, have attracted a high number of LGBTQ+ professionals from around the world, seeking greater security – both professional and personal. In fact, Spain has been working hard to protect LGBTQ+ rights, positioning the country and its capital as the first option for people seeking refuge due to the persecution, suffered in their home countries as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This was the focus of the myGwork "WELCOME TALENT! LGBTQ+ International Talent Attraction" event, sponsored by Google, which took place last week at IE University’s new technological and sustainable center in Madrid.

Fernando Fernández-Arias, member of the Spanish Diplomatic Corps, opened the panel.

Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayor of Madrid City Council, one of the event’s main speakers highlighted the city's commitment to international LGBTQ+ talent. According to Villacís, if we do not do everything possible to promote LGBTQ+ talent, we will not succeed in getting the “necessary and essential talent” that reflects today’s society.

“Madrid is a space of equality and harmony, but we cannot be satisfied because only 35% of LGBTQ+ people dare to talk about their identity at work,” Villacís highlighted. Despite the steady progress, “we cannot congratulate ourselves because we can never take LGBTQ+ rights for granted. We are seeing that they can be overturned, as in the cases of Hungary and Poland.” She wants Madrid to “provide the freedom outside the closet” which will allow LGBTQ+ talent to “give their all”. “What is really needed is trust between companies and workers,” stated the Deputy Mayor.

Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayor of Madrid.

The discussion, which took place virtually and in person, addressed the LGBTQ+ inclusion challenges for organizations operating in Spain. They were urged to consolidate intersectional corporate diversity and inclusion policies. This is an urgent task, since, according to data from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), 69 countries maintain legal sanctions against LGBTQ+ people; 10 of which carry the death penalty. This type of persecution is one of the main causes cited in the asylum applications that Spain receives daily.

One of the panels of WELCOME TALENT! was oriented to collect the experiences of LGBTQ+ expatriates and refugees in Spain.

“In this scenario, Spain has the opportunity to consolidate its international presence as a privileged place, committed to the development of international LGBTQ+ talent,” stated Miguel Garzón, myGwork’s Managing Director for Spain and Latin America. “It is a win-win relationship for both parties; for the community’s professionals who decide to continue their lives here, thanks to our legal framework that ensures a better quality of life; and in turn our country benefits from their skills and capabilities for economic growth and innovation.”

Garzón moderated different panels, which included panelists Fernando Fernández-Arias, member of the Spanish Diplomatic Corps; Gonzalo Garland, Vice President of IE Foundation, and representatives of companies such as Google, Netflix, GSK and Glovo, as well as LGBTQ+ expatriates and refugees.

Miguel Garzón, myGwork's Managing Director for Spain and Latin America.

“IE University is a meeting place to present different ideas and to discuss, fulfilling its mission to educate, research and innovate. It also has a very active and pioneering, commitment in promoting diversity in multiple dimensions,” said Gonzalo Garland, vice president of the IE Foundation at IE University. “This Welcome Talent! event fits perfectly into this commitment to inclusion that enriches not only all the people who are in this diverse and inclusive environment, but also more importantly, the companies and institutions that participate.”

This commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion is shared by CENTRHO, the Spanish Human Resources Management Association affiliated to AEDIPE. “Diversity and inclusion issues play a major role on our agenda. Raising awareness through best practices in our associated companies and professionals. Joining events like this and initiatives such as #DóndeEstánEllas of the European Parliament Office in Spain, are examples of our involvement,” explained its president, Rafael Cabarcos.

Gonzalo Garland, Vicepresident of IE Foundation.

“Talent does not understand barriers; and companies and societies in general cannot afford the luxury of bias development because of barriers of this kind,” added María Jesús Pérez, Secretary-General of CENTRHO.

One of the companies that has been particularly supportive of international LGBTQ+ talent is the British pharmaceutical company GSK. “One of our main aims is to foster an inclusive and respectful working environment, where all employees can be themselves,” highlighted Ana Valdivielso, GSK’s Group Head of HR; also part of the Talent Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain. “As part of this ambition to continue improving in terms of inclusiveness, I would like to highlight our commitment to diversity, through Spectrum, [the company’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group]. Its main aim is to create an environment of “respect and tolerance, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion”, “making LGTB+ talent visible in the workplace”, as well as “raising awareness of any challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community”.

Representatives from Glovo, Google, GSK and Netflix shared reflections on their work in attracting and retaining international LGBTQ+ talent.

Google is another global company committed to creating inclusive workplaces. “For us, diversity starts with the company’s mission. Our audience includes everyone and, to understand it well, it has to be well represented within the company,” highlighted Ramiro Mendoza, Senior Marketing Director for Spain and Portugal at Google.

Other leading companies that attended the event, include Ab InBev, Bisse Asesores, BlackRock, Brown-Forman, Burger King, Capgemini, Checkout.com, CRITEO, Danaher, Enterprise, Expedia, Fitch Group, GILEAD, Glovo, JLL, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Levi Strauss & Co, Mercer Consulting, Morningstar, Netflix, Oracle, Organon, Pearson, WTW, Yahoo! and Zimmer Biomet. These companies are also recognized as leading LGBTQ+ inclusive employers by myGwork.

You can watch the full recording of the event here.