Case Study: Ford Motor Company—GLOBE: Fostering LGBT Inclusion, Valuing Diversity, and Empowering Authenticity

Workplace diversity and including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees is a key component of Ford’s business strategy and work culture. Given its importance, diversity at Ford is operationalized both from a top-down approach, starting with the Board of Directors, and from a bottom-up approach, starting with the grassroots efforts of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) such as GLOBE, Ford’s network for Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Employees. GLOBE’s mission is “to foster an inclusive and supportive atmosphere” for LGBT employees within the company. Its vision is for a corporate culture in which diversity is valued and where all individuals feel empowered and can realize their full potential through equal participation in every aspect of corporate life. GLOBE’s vision also includes a corporate environment that fosters authenticity by providing a safe workplace, where employees do not fear losing opportunities because of sexual or gender identity.