Implementing LGBT-Diversity Management in a Global Company: The Case of SAP

Abstract

This chapter describes in detail the journey of LGBT-diversity management at SAP, beginning with the historic contextual landscape and progressing to Pride@SAP, the current group, which aims at representing the SAP LGBT workforce. The activities of SAP’s three largest local Pride@SAP networks (in Germany, North America and Brazil) are outlined and contextualized, and a brief overview of the histories of their founding is given. As an example of one of SAP’s global activities, its participation in the “It Gets Better” campaign is looked at in more detail, and SAP’s activities on “gender identity” are further discussed. In addition to other initiatives on “gender identity”, SAP was one of the first companies in Germany to develop “Gender Transition Guidelines”, which are now in place globally at SAP. These are guidelines for dealing with the issues of transsexualism or transgender identity for Personnel Administration (Human Resources), supervisors, and employees who may be affected directly or indirectly. They also provide transgender employees with a resource, where they can find information and guidance on the processes available. The chapter closes by discussing the views of several SAP managers with regard to LGBT workforce issues, and the challenges the LGBT workforce is still facing.