Sedgwick LGBTQ+ colleague resource group advances DEI priorities

June 1, 2023

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 1, 2023 – Sedgwick, a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions, continued the development of its worldwide Colleague Resource Group (CRG) program with the continued growth of its LGBTQ+ CRG. The group, which focuses on topics pertaining to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning community and their allies, is open to all Sedgwick colleagues and joins the company’s growing roster of resource groups.

Sedgwick was recently recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ 2023 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. The companies recognized have ranked the highest on criteria relating to “proactive management of a diverse workforce,” which includes offering benefits that support the needs of all employees and their families; enacting policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and ensuring that LGBTQ+ colleagues are well represented at all levels of the organization.

Sedgwick CRGs are cross-functional, colleague-led groups that aim to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with the company’s guiding principles, values, goals and business practices. CRGs contribute to advancing Sedgwick’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy and the success of the business by helping to raise DEI awareness, foster colleague engagement and inclusion, and build community and a sense of belonging. Sedgwick’s CRGs focus on four key areas: professional development, business engagement, community outreach and member engagement.

“Our CRGs offer colleagues the chance to expand their professional networks and build relationships across cultural and business lines and geographies, while offering the business the benefits of improved colleague engagement, connectedness, and retention.” said Heather Lawley (she/her), Sedgwick’s global head of DEI and environmental, social, governance (ESG). “Greater awareness and knowledge about DEI practices contribute to the execution of DEI priorities internally, which elevates the Sedgwick brand in the community and as an employer of choice. It also helps us best support our diverse clients.”

In 2022 Sedgwick launched its LGBTQ+ colleague resource group (CRG) in line with its global DEI strategy. Since its inception, the LGBTQ+ CRG has strived to drive change through action, commencing with its “allyship in the workplace” event and training session highlighting global benefits for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Since joining Sedgwick 25 years ago, I’ve felt a sense of belonging and inclusion that I could not always count on in my experiences outside the company,” said Don Johnson (he/him), Sedgwick assistant vice president of client services and co-chair of the LGBTQ+ CRG. “I jumped at the chance to be part of the LGBTQ+ CRG to support the community as an ally, amplify my colleagues’ voices, and create opportunities for them — the same way others have done for me throughout my career.”

The group has supported multiple companywide initiatives, including the expansion of inclusive employee benefits — which are among the best in the industry — and examining the claim continuum for opportunities to use more inclusive language throughout the process, especially as it relates to gendered pronouns.

The LGBTQ+ CRG has multiple internal webinars on its programming schedule. Topics include the transgender and non-binary community, the achievements and challenges of LGBTQ+ people, sensitivity training and advice for allies, LGBTQ+ mental health and global employee benefits that meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.

Sedgwick is a proud sponsor of Mid-South Pride 2023 in Memphis, the region’s largest annual gathering of the LGTBQ+ community.

For more information on Sedgwick’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, see sedgwick.com/about-us and click here

to learn more about careers at Sedgwick.

About Sedgwick Sedgwick is a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions. We provide a broad range of resources tailored to clients’ specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and exper­tise of 33,000 colleagues across 80 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact performance. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see sedgwick.com.