Flight Centre DEI report finds strong LGBTQ+ representation, employee sentiment

Flight Centre Travel Group Americas has released its first comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) report. 

The 22-page document highlights the organization’s 2022 initiatives in workforce demographics, supplier diversity, inclusive recruitment, DEI education, and employee resource groups. 

“Ongoing, transparent reporting is essential to our commitment to dismantle barriers to equity for our people, our customers, and our communities” DEI Manager, Emese Graham stated in the report’s introduction.

Among the report’s key findings are strong results in both LGBTQ2+ workforce representation and employee sentiment. 

READ MORE: Flight Centre appoints new diversity, equity & inclusion manager

The 2022 employee inclusion survey revealed about 11 per cent of Canadian respondents and 13 per cent of American respondents self-identified as LGBTQ2+, compared to four per cent and eight per cent of national averages, respectively. 

Additionally, the survey revealed no significant differences in employee sentiment between LGBTQ2+ and heterosexual and cisgender survey respondents.

“Our DEI strategy is about much more than diverse representation,” said Graham in a statement. “We are invested in understanding employees’ experiences, their sense of belonging, and equitable opportunities for a brightness of future at FCTG.”

Additional results from the 2022 employee inclusion survey include that 70 per cent of respondents in U.S. leadership positions identified as women and that the ratio of respondents in Canada who identified as a person of colour was 18 per cent higher than the latest national census data.

“Data-informed DEI strategies are key to the success and sustainable growth of our businesses and our teams,” People and Culture Leader Lisa Baker stated in a commentary on the employee inclusion survey results.

Inclusive recruitment

The report also highlights efforts towards inclusive recruitment, covering three pillars: inclusive job postings, expansive job advertising, and standardized candidate evaluations. 

Americas Talent Acquisition Business Leader, Nealy Kernoghan stated in the report: “We want people of all backgrounds to see themselves represented at FCTG, so we actively seek to diversify by building inclusive hiring practices. We believe that diversity drives innovation and helps us build a culture where everyone feels welcome and included.”

Additional highlights in the DEI report include:

• A corporate travel spend of US $32.2M with 3,485 suppliers who self-disclosed as diverse/minority-owned business enterprises which represents a 152% increase from our 2021 spend.
• 500+ participants in workplace DEI education
• The launch of five employee resource groups, each supported by a coordinator and executive sponsor. 

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.