I feel truly fortunate to work for Accenture, a company that lives its values and whose culture reflects the central importance and value of diversity to business, to communities and to individuals. I'm proud that Accenture continues to be recognized for having inclusion and diversity intrinsic to what it is as a company. - Richard Clark, Corporate Controller

A Workplace of Equality

At Accenture, we adhere to strict non-discrimination and meritocracy policies and provide a clear, open line of communication between employeesand management. Recognizing thatindividual countries may have unique lawsaffecting the LGBT community, we workto ensure that our global policies andpractices have their intended effect in allthe geographies in which we operate.

To increase the engagement of our LGBT employees in local communitiesand geographies we sponsor a globalLGBT Network and offer a supportcommunity for transgender employees. We also run an LGBT Ally Programwhere employees outside of the LGBTcommunity act as catalysts for inclusionand raising awareness for LGBT equality.

Accenture is proud to be a corporateleader in supporting our LGBT employeesand the broader LGBT community.

On a global basis, we focus on:

• Training, to build awareness andunderstanding of the LGBT community.
• Policies, to ensure the equal treatment of employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity andexpression, where permitted by law.
• Our recruitment, promotion and retention policies and guidelinesmake us one of the most inclusive, progressive companies in theworld for LGBT people.
• Benefits, strive to provide identicalemployee benefits to same-sexand opposite-sex partners in allthe countries in which we operateand where permitted by law. In addition, in the United States, weoffer comprehensive health benefitsfor US-based transgender employeesincluding coverage for hormone therapy, mental health counselingand transgender-specific surgeries.
• Professional development, tofacilitate career growth andencourage networking and mentoringamong our LGBT employees.

"Globally, our 'out' LGBT senior executives demonstrate that you can be successful, out and proud at Accenture. Being actively involved in Accenture's LGBT program, I am proud of the energy and vibrancy of the Accenture LGBT community and the support that it provides to our people."
- Matthew Coates, Senior Executive, Global LGBT Network Sponsor

"I am very happy that Accenture the Netherlands acknowledges that, although we come from a very liberal country where LGBT is "not an issue" anymore, we still need an LGBT network. With it, we can give guidance to LGBT people who don't feel comfortable and help those in other geographies achieve the same opportunities we have here." - Peter Zerp, Amsterdam

Connecting People: Our LGBT Network

Accenture's Global LGBT Network brings our LGBT community and allies together for networking, mentoring and information sharing, providing a vibrant force to our culture of high performance. Working closely with our Inclusion & Diversity teams, the Network has been instrumental in helping to craft inclusive recruitment and retention policies and adopt guidelines that make Accenture one of the most inclusive and progressive companies in the world for LGBT people.

The LGBT Network in Action

The LGBT Network was originally established to help Accenture leadership understand LGBT-related inclusion and diversity topics, address them openly in the workplace and encourage all employees to confront issues that may challenge our policies of inclusion and diversity. Today, our LGBT Network groups are active at the local level across many of the geographies in which Accenture operates. They work to help raise awareness of — and prevent — sexual orientation or gender identity and expression discrimination at Accenture, as well as identify how our policies may affect same-sex couples around the world. They organize programs and events, such as attendance at pride events, mentoring, client networking events, community sponsorships, webcasts, recruiting activities and much more. They also are responsible for liaising with other local LGBT organizations and groups contributing to Accenture's role in the wider professional work arena. The Network's activities consistently support the goal of building confident individuals and creating a visibly supportive environment for LGBT employees.

Accenture launched its LGBT Ally Program where employees outside of the LGBT community act as catalysts for inclusion and raise awareness for LGBT equality.

The LGBT Network is open to all employees. In the last year alone, thousands of Accenture employees signed up as allies and joined the Network, taking equal responsibility for helping make our working environment inclusive of LGBT employees. The Network's essential contribution to Accenture helps ensure sure that:

• Our recruiting professionals accurately reflect our open and proactive acceptance of LGBT applicants and maximize external relationships to recruit a diverse workforce.
• Our training supports what our LGBT employees need to succeed in their careers and feel comfortable in the workplace.
• Through a variety of channels, corporate communications create global awareness of leadership support for LGBT, foster a sense of community among members and educate within and beyond the Network by building awareness of LGBT issues.
• Local Accenture offices continue to develop, maintain and grow the LGBT Network to further reinforce a workplace culture that is inclusive of the LGBT community.

"My involvement in the LGBT Networking Group is a big reason for staying with Accenture. Being part of the group has helped me to further develop my leadership skills and has made a huge difference in my personal and professional life." - Joanne McMorrow, Boston

"In my 25 years as an IT professional, Accenture is my first employer who has actively and aggressively sought to transform their policy of inclusion and diversity into reality in the workplace. Being a part of the LGBT Network has given me the confidence to openly discuss being transgender with my co-workers and the desire to reinvest that confidence by helping other transgender employees realize their full potential." - Denise Norris, New York

Attracting, Developing and Retaining The Best LGBT Talent

Accenture attracts, retains and advancesLGBT employees as part of our diversepopulation. Our active LGBT Networkemployees together with our recruitingteams work to ensure that we havean inclusive recruitment process. We also participate in diversity recruitingevents, such as LGBT-specific job fairs in various locations. For example, since its launch in 2010, we have participatedin the MILK Diversity Congress andCareer Fair, Germany's leading diversitycongress and first career fair focusingon LGBT. Since 2007, we have been a sponsor of Canada's Out on Bay Street, which provides a forum for LGBT studentsat all stages of their academic careersto learn about career opportunitiesavailable to them in the professional andfinancial services sectors in that country. Additionally, we have promoted Accentureto LGBT students in London at the CASSBusiness School, giving them insight on what it is like to be "out" at work. At Accenture, LGBT employees can growprofessionally in an environment wheretop performance is recognized and drivesboth satisfaction and success. We inviteour high-potential LGBT executives to attend professional development trainingsessions. Launched in May 2011, thetraining, which is based on Stonewall's successful Leadership Development Program, aims to develop the ability ofparticipants to operate as visible LGBTrole models who have a positive impact on inclusion and diversity at Accenture.

Supporting LGBT Supplier Diversity

In 2002, Accenture formalized theSupplier Diversity Program in theUnited States to develop and expand relationships with diverse businesses, creating opportunities for theseenterprises to grow their businesseswhile strengthening our supply chain.Reinforcing our commitment to the LGBT community, we provide support andmentoring to LGBT-owned businessesthat participate in the program. Wealso routinely assess our key suppliers to ensure they support and promoteLGBT equality in their own companies. Today, we are replicating the success of the US Supplier Diversity Programacross other geographies, invitingLGBT-owned businesses to participatein procurement opportunities andproviding them with mentoring and access to business knowledge andskills through our LGBT Network.

"Accenture India is taking steps toward commitment to diversity in the LGBT area and has taken the lead among Indian employers. My participation in the San Antonio LGBT network was the start of my personal experience, which helps me contribute toward establishing the network in India. I am grateful for being involved." - Venkatraghavan Chittambakkam, Chennai

Recognized as a Leader

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity and to the LGBT community has been recognized by a variety of organizations, including:

• In the United States, Accenture received the 2011 Out & Equal Workplace Excellence Outie Award for our ongoing commitment to workplace equality. We were recognized for our leadership, dedication and innovation in driving the development of LGBT networks globally and by becoming one of 10 US companies to implement World Professional Association for Transgender Health compliant transgender benefits.
• In Australia, we were honored with the 2011 Employment and Inclusion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex award from Diversity@ Work, which promotes and showcases the best of diversity and inclusion in Australian workplaces.
• In the United Kingdom, Accenture ranked 7th in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2012 and as one of its "consistent top performers." This annual guide to Britain's top gay-friendly employers, based on a comprehensive workplace equality index, recognizes the pioneering efforts of leading businesses to create workplaces where lesbian, gay and bisexual people can reach their full potential.
• In the United States, Accenture again received a perfect score of 100 out of 100 on the HRC Foundation's 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). This is the fifth consecutive year that Accenture received a perfect score and was recognized as a top employer for LGBT people by this index, which surveys employers' policies on diversity, training, health care and domestic partnership benefits, and reports the best companies for LGBT employees.
• In Australia, we ranked fourth in the 2012 Top 10 Employers for LGBT Employees on the Australian Workplace Equality Index . This award, given by Pride in Diversity, recognizes our LGBT program, as well as our inclusive policy and practice, inclusive culture and employment practices and LGBT diversity training and community engagement.
• In the United States, Accenture ranked 12th on DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity list every year since 2007. We have been recognized for our work/life benefits, active employee resource groups (including the LGBT Network), workforce and management retention and comprehensive communications on the corporate website about our commitment to diversity.
• We were one of the first ten companies in the United States to implement Transgender Transition Guidelines that comply with World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards, and we signed on as a sponsor of the all-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act(ENDA).

Our Accenture leaders are recognized, too. Examples include:

• Accenture's Armelle Carminati, Managing Director, Human Capital & Diversity, received the 2012 Diversity Award from Dominique Baudis, French Defender of Rights, for her leadership and support of diversity and engagement on LGBT topics.
• Accenture's Shelley Hurley, Executive Director-Risk Management and Global Resources Lead, was recognized as a Stevie Award finalist for Mentor or Coach of the Year--Business Services.
• The White House honored Accenture's Carol Attak as one of 11 local leaders as a Champion of Change for outstanding leadership in entrepreneurial mentoring, counseling and training.
• Accenture's Denise Norris received the Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award in recognition of her contributions to the transgender community.

Supporting the LGBT Community

• Accenture and Out & Equal created the Accenture Skills to Succeed LGBTAward to honor a non-profit group or non-governmental organization working to equip people in the LGBT communities with workplace and entrepreneurial skills. The LGBT Award is part of Accenture's global Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship initiative. Through Skills to Succeed, our goal is to equip 250,000 people by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business.
• Accenture sponsored the 2012 Global LGBT Workplace Summit in London.
• Accenture was the official sponsor of the 26th BFI London Lesbian & GayFilm Festival (LLGFF) for the second consecutive year in the United Kingdom.
• Accenture sponsored the L-Women at Work Conference in the Netherlands, which was the 1st.
• Pan-European event on advancing careers of lesbians, bisexual and transgender women in business.
• Accenture's Australian LGBT Network also supports the Pinnacle Foundation, providing professional mentors and committing three years of scholarship funding for marginalized or disadvantaged LGBT youth.

"It is in being accepted and respected for who I am that I draw my inspiration and passion and am able to achieve my personal aspirations and contribute to the overall goals of the organization. Being part of the LGBT group in the Philippines Delivery Center has fuelled my drive to be the best person and leader that I can be. It is through this organization that I realized that sexual orientation is never a hindrance to prospering and succeeding. - Roberto Sy, Manila" - Roberto Sy, Manila

Our Journey Forward

Inclusiveness will always be at the core of everything we do at Accenture. As rights for LGBT people and same-sex couples expand globally, our ability as a global company to be proactive and address gaps will continue to set us apart in the workplace. Guided by our visionary leadership, we continue to seek opportunities to extend our policies of inclusion and diversity. We measure and monitor the level of satisfaction of our LGBT employees where permitted and constantly ensure that the right programs are in place to support a workplace of equality. It is through our diverse and deeply skilled talent pool that Accenture's quest for high performance— and the ability to help our clients achieve high performance—is possible.

For additional information or to contact the Accenture LGBT Network: lgbt@accenture.com