MANILA, PHILIPPINES — PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications (Smart) reiterated their commitment to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and human rights in the workplace as the world celebrates Pride Month this June.
“As advocates of inclusion in the workplace, we continue to embrace our employees’ uniqueness and diverse backgrounds by providing them with a safe and engaging space. As an equal-opportunity employer, we recognize that diversity is a positive driver of competitiveness. We acknowledge that an inclusive culture — where our employees’ inimitable qualities, skills, and differences are respected — encourages innovation and ultimately helps contribute to building a better community for us all,” said Gina Ordoñez, Chief People Officer at PLDT and Smart.
As part of the group-wide campaign “Every Color, Every You” for Pride Month, PLDT and Smart will engage the workforce in heartfelt conversations throughout June on topics that can help them become better allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. Also, on June 22, PLDT and Smart will again support the Pride March in Quezon City with a contingent of LGBTIA+ employees and allies.
Upholding human rights, celebrating diversity
As a member-signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the PLDT group has established a Diversity and Inclusion Policy that embraces diversity and strives to foster an inclusive culture in the workplace.
More importantly, PLDT and Smart have adopted a Human Rights Policy to formalize PLDT and Smart’s decades-long commitment to support internationally recognized human rights principles and ensure that business operations uphold human rights throughout the organization. This policy also sets out the companies’ expectations that suppliers, partners, contractors, and other relevant stakeholders, agents, and representatives observe and uphold the same standards and principles in the said policy.
To protect and empower their people, PLDT and Smart have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and gender-based sexual harassment. The group also consistently implements campaigns, activities, and workshops that raise awareness and skills of employees on how to avoid or prevent discrimination or harassment in the workplace. PLDT and Smart have also established grievance mechanisms and reporting channels for employees in cases that involve harassment and discrimination.
“PLDT and Smart remain steadfast in our commitment to respect and uphold the human rights of every person. In the workplace, we continue to foster an environment that is free of discrimination and allows every employee to be treated with respect and dignity and be given equal opportunity regardless of sex, sexual identity orientation, and gender identity. By doing so, we hope to enable our employees to realize their full potential and become valuable contributors to our mission to use technology to keep families connected in a meaningful way,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart’s initiatives for inclusivity and workplace gender equality underscore their commitment to helping the Philippines attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSGDs) on SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
