Working Globally: Why LGBT+ Inclusion is Key to Competitiveness

T. McGivan, C. Altincekic, E. Chatenay, A. Richter

Executive Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way global companies do business. On the one hand, remote working solutions have been fast-tracked, expanding the ability of companies to assemble international teams and work with a truly global base of customers and partners. On the other, international business travel and assignments have reduced dramatically, and fundamentally changed the future of how we work. As the business community seeks to navigate the economic downturn associated with the pandemic and improve its long term resilience to similar events, the ability of global companies to work effectively across borders, whether virtually or in person, will become increasingly critical to maintaining competitiveness. This report shows why LGBT+ inclusion is an important component of companies' ability to operate globally. It explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered significant changes in the way companies do business, placing additional value on cross-border collaboration. It concludes that LGBT+ inclusion can support the competitiveness of global companies, and the countries in which they are based.