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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Home Credit Philippines) |
June is an important month for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines as it signals a month-long festivity and celebration of the Pride Month. Every year, different advocacy groups, civil society organizations, and organization mount Pride celebrations which usually culminate with a pride march. Companies join these celebrations either by releasing solidarity statements, public participation or mounting their own pride events. Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has been among the staunch supporters of this cause.
In 2022, the company participated in the Pride PH: Alab for Love celebration in Quezon City, sending almost 200 of its employees to the join the Pride March. It also supported the Iloilo Pride Team, organizers of the Iloilo Pride March, during the Pride Pyesta event in Iloilo City in November 2023. Beyond the company’s public pride participation, Home Credit Philippines has also been recognized for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Among its recognitions are Asia CEO Awards-Circle of Excellence Diversity Company of the Year, United Nations Women Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs) Awards 2022 for Transparency and Reporting, and 2023 Golden Stevie for Diversity and Inclusion. Home Credit has been proactively collaborating with advocacy partners to strengthen its DEI policies and programs. In 2022, the company joined the Philippine Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) and the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce (PLCC) to further cement its commitment to workplace inclusion. Last year, the company went through the Gender Equality Assessment Results and Strategies (GEARS) in partnership with PBCWE to understand gaps, opportunities and strengths of its strategies in relation to workplace gender equality.
This 2023, Home Credit Philippines renews this commitment with the establishment of the company’s Pride Club, an Employee Resource Group that will lead and champion DEI and workplace inclusion initiatives in the organization. “At Home Credit Philippines, DEI and workplace inclusion is important for us. We have always championed these causes as integral for how we take care of our people and build safe spaces where our employees can be themselves and thrive,” said Home Credit Philippines Chief People Officer Alpha Omega Aquino. Through its people, culture and development team, Home Credit Philippines organized the opening of the Pride Club in 2022. “The establishment of our Home Credit Pride team signals a more collaborative approach in creating equitable and inclusive policies and practices for our organization. This also allows our employees to be more empowered in advocating for causes that matter to them.” Alpha added.
With 200 and counting members across the Philippines, the Home Credit Pride Club is positioned to lead the company’s Pride at Home Credit Philippines activities. Last June 14, the club launched a manifesto video #AtHomeKaDito which featured the officers of the club sharing how Home Credit is an equal opportunity employer and encouraging job seekers to join the company. “We wanted to represent the LGBTQIA+ employees of Home Credit and share how the company supports and empowers us. Our pride video is a glimpse of how diverse our employees are in terms of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) and how we are celebrated for our contributions regardless of our gender orientation and identity. As a proud trans woman, I have always felt at home in my 5 years of being a Home Credit employee,” said Home Credit Philippines Collections Project Specialist and Pride Club President Janna De Castro.
As an equal opportunity employer, Home Credit Philippines has offered equitable benefits for its LGBTQIA+ employees to include Wellness Leaves, gender-neutral restrooms, and HMO for domestic partners among others. “Our goal as a club is to become a reliable partner for our company when it comes to strengthening our DEI policies and programs. Eventually, we hope to become an institutionalized employee resource group who can co-create initiatives and programs that will benefit and add value, not just the members of our club our employees, but likewise for the communities we serve,” said HCPH Public Relations Manager and Pride Club Vice-President Russel Patina. Through its brand and business, Home Credit Philippines has empowered almost 10 million Filipinos since it opened its doors in 2013. Now approaching a new decade, the company is expected to continue to grow and empower more Filipinos with access to more credit opportunities. Alongside this growth, it continues to champion the backbone of its success – its people; building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can be their best and feel at home.
