We emphasized our support for employees who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or identify with other sexual or gender identities (LGBTQ+) during our fourth annual Ally Week from Oct. 26-29. At Astellas, we’re devoted to building an inclusive workplace that enables respect and success for all employees. We understand that a focus on Diversity & Inclusion drives a stronger, more successful business.

During Ally Week, our LGBTQ+ Employee Impact Group (EIG), known as the Together As One or TAO EIG, encouraged colleagues to support the LGBTQ+ community by taking an Ally Pledge and attending an informational Allyship webinar. Taking the Ally Pledge is a commitment to be informed, visible and vocal. Those who participated received an Ally kit containing a rainbow face mask, a TAO bracelet, and educational information about effective Allyship. This year, over 430 employees took the pledge.

“It’s always amazing to see our Allies come out to support, engage and learn from the LGBTQ+ community,” said Stacey Tannenbaum, Senior Director, Pharmacometrics US, and Co-chair of the TAO EIG.

The Impact of Our Employee Impact Groups

The TAO is one of our seven active EIGs. Employee Impact Groups and their ally networks bolster our culture of inclusion and help to gather insights that allow us to better serve patients and our communities. Consultation from TAO led to the ongoing development of Astellas’ Gender Transition Guidelines, which build topic awareness and highlight employee benefits that may help our colleagues who are transitioning.

We’ve been independently recognized for six consecutive years with a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for a focus on diversity and inclusion. The Index evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices, including domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination workplace protections, competency programs, transgender-inclusive health care benefits and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Our StarLife Family Care benefits program embraces broader needs from child to elder care offerings and covers LGBTQ+ employees along with their spouses or domestic partners.

We continue to cultivate a culture that embraces diverse beliefs, backgrounds and ideas to foster innovative health solutions. That’s what being an Ally is all about.