Nib Recognised As An Inclusive Workplace

nib New Zealand (nib) has received the Rainbow Tick accreditation which recognises the steps nib has taken to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for LGBTTQIA+ employees and allies.

nib Chief Executive Officer, Rob Hennin, said over the past two years nib has been continually improving its internal policies and procedures to meet the Rainbow Tick standards.

“To receive a Rainbow Tick accreditation is no small task, we listened to our employees made meaningful and continual changes to our workplace policies and practices to amplify the voices and experiences of our LGBTTQIA+ employees,” Mr Hennin said.

“We held a number of LGBTTQIA+ education sessions with our leaders and employees; updated our internal policies, recruitment practices, and external website to reflect rainbow-inclusive language; provided easy access to resources and support via our ‘Pride at nib’ employee-led group; and held various events for our people to attend, including our Wear It Purple Day virtual brunch,” he added.

Rainbow Tick Programme Manager, José Taiapa, said that to be eligible to receive the Rainbow Tick, nib had to satisfy the five Rainbow standards: policies; employee training; employee engagement and support; external engagement and monitoring.

“nib is an organisation with a big heart and this is reflected in the work they’re doing to ensure that people from LGBTTQIA+ communities can bring their whole selves to work. This kind of inclusivity is so important, understanding that there are still many people out there that don’t feel comfortable to express their sexual orientation or gender identity at work,” Mr Taiapa said.

“Rob authentically leads by example and is in full support of this mahi. It is a credit to the leadership of nib that they have continued to act on the feedback from employees and, in such short time, embedded the rainbow inclusive principles and standards into their organisation and in some instances exceeded expectations,” Mr Taiapa said.

In addition to the Rainbow Tick, nib recently received the Accessibility Tick in recognition of the steps nib is taking to overcome barriers to access for employees, members and travellers so they can thrive irrespective of any difference in ability.

Managing Director of Accessibility Tick, Phil Turner, said the accessibility journey for organisations are a long-term commitment and this is a great first step for nib.

“nib should be proud of the commitment and action plan they have made for disability inclusion and accessibility. It shows nib is an organisation that embodies diversity and inclusion, committed to their people and the 24% of New Zealanders who are disabled,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Hennin said nib is committed to continuing to work alongside Accessibility Tick and Rainbow Tick to help create a workplace where all employees feel comfortable and empowered to work to the best of their ability.

“The work we’re doing in the diversity and inclusion space isn’t a ‘tick of the box’ practice, it’s cultural change that is embedded in our everyday practices and conversations and filtered from the top down. We still have a way to go, but I truly believe the journey to receive both the Rainbow Tick and Accessibility Tick has helped to lay the foundation for greater acceptance, understanding and support of our people and their diverse backgrounds across the nib Group,” Mr Hennin said.

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