AGL Energy : proudly powers diversity

Thursday, 19 January 2017

AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is proud to announce a new three year partnership with Midsumma to help shine the light on Victoria's diverse gender and sexuality (DGS) communities.

Championed by AGL Shine - an employee driven network established to contribute to building an inclusive and supportive workplace for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) employees at AGL - the partnership reinforces AGL's continued commitment to creating an inclusive and open workplace.

AGL Business Operations Manager and Shine Committee Member, Simon Fieldhouse, explained that AGL's partnership with Midsumma is consistent with AGL's support of diversity in the workforce.

'At AGL, we're lucky to enjoy a workplace that fosters an internal culture, free from prejudice and discrimination; a workplace where LGBTI employees feel they are supported in achieving their full potential and contributing to business outcomes in a personally authentic way.

'We hope our partnership with Midsumma will empower individuals to be their whole selves, both in and out of the workplace, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of the LGBTI community in making this a reality,' he said.

In 2017, the partnership will centre on the theme of the Power To Be Me, and see some of AGL's LGBTI community members and allies share what it means to them to work for a company that champions diversity. Throughout January, their faces and voices will feature on outdoor posters, within tram shelters and on trams, across Melbourne's CBD, St Kilda and Prahran.

AGL's Power To Be Me theme will also come to life at Midsumma Carnival on Sunday 15 January, where revellers will be encouraged to express themselves in an immersive 360 degree photo booth installation.

AGL Group Operations Executive General Manager and Executive Sponsor of 'Shine', Doug Jackson, explained that AGL's support of the LGBTI community was championed at all levels of the organisation and employees were actively encouraged to immerse themselves in the Midsumma festivities.

'As a recognised Employer of Choice in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, our approach to inclusion and non-discrimination is felt across the organisation and our employees play an active role in fostering this environment. And for the second year running, we're participating in the Pride March, where many of our employees will proudly march side-by-side,' he said.

This new three year partnership follows AGL's inaugural support of Midsumma Festival in 2016.

About AGL
AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.

About AGL Shine
AGL Shine was established in response to an increasing number of AGL employees seeking to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture where LGBTI employees feel they are able to be truly authentic and bring their whole self to work, and to feel safe and supported to do so.

Acknowledged as a thought leadership initiative and influential entity within the company, AGL Shine is represented by almost 200 members and allies from across the company, including regional and remote locations.