LGBTQ+ Inclusion at ABB: Celebrating Pride Month in Engineering and STEM
Inclusion is essential to global engineering and STEM — and at ABB, this commitment is reflected every day. This article explores ABB’s approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including allyship programs, employee resource groups, workplace recognition and Pride Month celebrations.
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4min
2026-06-03
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO INCLUDE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES IN ENGINEERING COMPANIES AND WORKPLACES
- LGBTQ+ STEM professionals are more likely to experience career limitations, harassment, and professional devaluation, according to research published in Science Advances1
- The United Nations calls on businesses to ending violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, with many companies pledging their support2
WHY INCLUSION OF LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES MATTER IN STEM COMPANIES
Significant correlations of LGBTQ+ inclusion to financial performance, market leadership and strategic positioning
<p>Open for Business<sup>3</sup></p>Individuals working in inclusive workplaces tend to perform better
<p>Open for Business<sup>4</sup></p>Throughout history, engineering and technology have been shaped by people who push the boundaries, including those from the LGBTQ+ community
<p>New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering<sup>5</sup></p>HOW LGBTQ+ INCLUSION WORKS AT ABB – A LEADER IN ELECTRIFICATION AND AUTOMATION
Inclusion is critical in global engineering — and ABB recognizes this every day. With operations in over 100 countries across electrification and automation, the inclusion of ABB's 110,000 employees across all sexual orientations and gender identities is fundamental to our success.
In engineering and industrial environments, teams perform best when people can bring their authentic selves to work. LGBTQ+-inclusive teams benefit from psychological safety, where diverse perspectives and experiences drive innovation. When engineers feel welcomed and supported, they contribute more creatively, collaborate more openly, and stay engaged in solving complex technical challenges.
“At ABB, ‘Come as you are’ is not just a tagline. It’s a commitment that every engineer, every leader, every person walks in knowing they belong. When you feel safe to be yourself at work, everything changes — your creativity, your confidence, your impact. That's what we're building.”
- Luca Condosta, Global Leadership Learning Community Lead and LGBTQ+ Global Program Manager
HOW ABB IMPLEMENTS LGBTQ+ INCLUSION IN PRACTICE
ABB aims to build an inclusive workplace so all people from the LGBTQ+ community can focus on doing what is best and helping run what runs the world. This is part of our broader Diversity and Inclusion framework, driven by a three pillar model of governance, inclusive leadership and culture, and partnerships.
Our initiatives for LGBTQ+ include mentoring programs, a comprehensive review of employee benefit policies to ensure inclusion, learning pathways and resources for its employees, active participation in job fairs like Stick & Stones in Germany, and engagement in partnerships and coalitions such as Open for Business, Workplace Pride and Agedo.
ABB'S LGBTQ+ INCLUSION RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
<p> </p> <p><b>Workplace Pride Ambassador</b></p> <p>ABB reached the level of “Ambassador” in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://workplacepride.org/workplace-pride-global-benchmark/#:~:text=The%20Workplace%20Pride%20Global%20Benchmark%20is%20a%20tool,the%20LGBTIQ%2B%20policies%20and%20practices%20for%20active%20employers.">Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index</a> for demonstrating exceptional performance in all dimensions of policies, employee network, benefits and societal impact. This assessment measures the LGBTQ+ policies and practices for employers.</p>
<p><b>Open for Business ranking</b></p> <p>ABB ranked fourth in the Swiss Market Leaders report titled <a href="https://open-for-business.org/swiss-investor-guide" target="_blank">“The Investment Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Transparency”</a> by Open for Business in partnership with SIX Swiss Exchange. The report identified significant correlations between LGBTQ+ inclusion and business performance.</p>
<p><b>Global leadership recognition</b></p> <p>ABB leaders are being recognized for their inclusion efforts through the <a href="https://outstanding.involverolemodels.org/poll/2025-top-100-executives/" target="_blank">INvolve list of Top 100 LGBTQ+ Executive Role Models</a>, the <a href="https://epbn.eu/2025/05/14/europe-celebrates-25-lgbtiq-role-models-at-landmark-epbn-wise-awards/" target="_blank">25 European Role Models by the EPBN-WISE initiative</a> and the LGBTQ+ allyship award shared through myGwork. </p>
<p><b>Local recognition</b></p> <p>ABB was named a <a href="https://mygwork.com/news/abb-germany-recognised-again-as-pride-champion-in-gold">Pride Champion in Germany</a> and a <a href="https://www.edge-glbt.it/11-role-models-lgbtqia-italiani-premiati-da-edge-2025/">Top Role Model Company by Edge in Italy</a>. ABB was recognized by <a href="https://iguales.cl/certificacion-internacional-67-empresas-se-destacan-como-mejores-lugares-para-trabajar-lgbti/">Equidad CL in Chile</a> and certified by <a href="https://presente.pe/certificacion/">Presente</a> in Peru.</p>
HOW ABB IS ADVANCING LGBTQ+ INCLUSION
Awareness and mobilizing the workforce 2021
<ul> <li>Implemented a clear statement of its D&I ambitions in every job posting to welcome everyone from the outset</li> <li>Signed the UN Standards of Conduct for LGBTQ+ rights</li> <li>Established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for Pride across the Americas and Europe</li> <li>Launched an advocacy campaign in Switzerland</li> <li>Engaged 2,500 employees in inaugural Pride Month celebrations</li> </ul>Awareness to action 2022
<ul> <li>Created an allyship guideline, published ally booklets and launched learning paths focused on allyship</li> <li>Introduced a global reverse mentoring program—pairing up senior leaders with members from the LGBTQ+ community, to understand challenges and changes required</li> <li>Conducted the Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index to gain insights into ABB’s inclusivity positioning</li> <li>Launched new ERGs in Brazil and Chil</li> <li>3,500 employees celebrated Pride with more than 700 people completing learning paths</li> </ul>Systemic change 2023
<ul> <li>Revised the ABB Code of Conduct to include a clause that enforces zero tolerance against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.</li> <li>Through a review of ABB’s benefits policies, confirmed that all benefits under scrutiny were truly inclusive for employees, including LGBTQ+, covering everything from paid parental leave to life insurance, retirement plans, disabilities and critical illness, and the Employee Assistance Program.</li> <li>Introduced the internal LGBTQ+ ally of the year award at ABB</li> <li>Launched an ERG, awareness program and systemic changes in India</li> <li>4,600 employees were involved in Pride Month celebrations with 1,200 people completing learning paths</li> </ul>Expanding efforts 2024
<ul> <li>Participated in panels on the topic of LGBTQ+ with Open For Business and other local non-profit organizations</li> <li>Increased the number of role models and highlighted their inclusive behaviors as best practice.</li> <li>Expanded employee resource groups</li> <li>Offered leadership upskilling</li> <li>6,800 employees participated in Pride Month celebrations across global events</li> </ul>Ongoing progress and recognition 2025
<ul> <li>Reached Ambassador level in the <a href="https://workplacepride.org/workplace-pride-global-benchmark/#:~:text=The%20Workplace%20Pride%20Global%20Benchmark%20is%20a%20tool,the%20LGBTIQ%2B%20policies%20and%20practices%20for%20active%20employers." target="_blank">Workplace Pride Global Benchmark Index</a> for exceptional performance in policies, employee networks, benefits, and societal impact.</li> <li>Recognized as one of the top 5 companies in an <a href="https://open-for-business.org/swiss-investor-guide" target="_blank">LGBTQ+ inclusion transparency report</a> by Open for Business and the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange</li> <li>Celebrated ABB leaders and local businesses for their inclusion efforts through global and regional lists</li> <li>7,700 colleagues celebrated Pride Month globally</li> </ul>DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT ABB
When everyone can come as they are, it unlocks the full potential of ABB’s people and business.
JOIN THE TEAM THAT RUNS WHAT RUNS THE WORLD
Sources:
- Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM - Science Advances
- Standards of Conduct for Business – United Nations
- “The Investment Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Transparency” – Open for Business
- The Economic Case - Open for Business
- 9 LGBTQ+ Engineers & Scientists Who Changed the World - NMITE Blog
ABB is a global company committed to upholding our core values and our Code of Conduct everywhere where we operate. We strive to foster an inclusive culture while adhering to all applicable laws. Any statements, goals, policies, or practices outlined in this ABB global website only apply where legally permitted and to the extent that it does not conflict with any applicable local laws. In the event of a conflict, the relevant ABB entity will prioritize compliance with local laws over the policy.