Treating People Right, With Pride

Happy Pride Month! Five employees share what it’s like to be an LGBTQ+ Ka-Globe, from freely expressing themselves to getting to avail health benefits for their partners.

Our culture of valuing people and having malasakit rests on one simple truth: We are all equal. 

We don’t celebrate Pride to recognize LGBTQ+ employees – this is already a common occurrence in Globe. We celebrate because it is embedded in who we are. Part of treating people right is treating them equally. 

This is the primary reason the pioneering Diversity Benefit was implemented. In Globe, an employee’s same-sex legal spouse may be declared a dependent and additional beneficiary to company benefits. This is the company’s way of providing equitable benefits to employees whose rights have yet to be legally recognized. 

The benefit is only one component of our culture of care and inclusivity. Below, five LGBTQ+ employees of different roles and tenures describe what makes them feel at home in Globe.

Agnes and their partner

Agnes Bongon

Senior Expert - Incident Management 

Office of Strategy Management and Customer Experience

I've been a long-time employee of Globe. I joined in 1999 as a Customer Service Representative and have been with different groups. Now, I am with the Executive Escalation Team as the NTC Support Lead.

I learned about the Diversity Benefit in an email I received during FlexBen enrollment. I haven’t availed of these benefits before – Globe was the first to offer benefits for me and my partner. 

It always felt like acceptance would never happen, but Globe proved otherwise.

Availing it was straightforward and I appreciated the clear instructions. Our support team was responsive and helpful when I had questions. The experience was smooth and efficient, with minimal hassle.

The benefit has impacted my life significantly. For the many years I've been with Globe, it felt so good for my partner to finally be recognized and enjoy the benefits I've worked so hard for. Being treated equally and the feeling of acceptance is priceless.

It always felt like acceptance would never happen, but Globe proved otherwise. Maraming salamat sa pagtanggap.

Eugene Sangalang

Lead for Culture and People Services under the People and Culture Excellence Division

B2B

As the lead for CPS, my role encompasses a lot of responsibilities aimed at fostering a positive organizational culture and supporting the well-being of employees.

I deeply appreciate the implementation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy at Globe. This policy ensures a fair and equitable work environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed based on their contributions and achievements.

During my nearly five years with the company, I have been promoted twice, which is a testament to Globe’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding employees based on performance and merit rather than gender or personal preferences. 

I also appreciate the availability of gender-inclusive restrooms at Globe. This initiative shows the company's commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all employees, regardless of gender identity. It helps reduce anxiety for transgender and non-binary employees, promoting their well-being and allowing them to focus on their work without worrying about gender-specific facilities.

I have been promoted twice, which is a testament to Globe’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding employees based on performance and merit rather than gender or personal preferences. 

Although I would love to take advantage of the option to designate a same-sex spouse as a dependent or beneficiary, I have not yet been fortunate enough to find my perfect match. LOL.

Globe’s dedication to DEI not only fosters a more inclusive workplace but also drives us toward greater innovation and success by valuing diverse perspectives and talents. Working at Globe has been enriching due to the company's inclusive culture. Colleagues from diverse backgrounds collaborate seamlessly, bringing unique perspectives that enhance creativity, process improvement, and problem-solving. 

Globe’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its comprehensive approach to diversity and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to the company’s success.

Pawie Resurreccion

Manager - Segment Management 

Segment Marketing

My Globe friends kept telling me about the Diversity Benefit and that I should apply for it, so I uploaded the required documents and added my partner as a dependent through Workday. It was a swift approval process.

It made me feel so valued and respected; it fostered a sense of belonging, to get equal opportunities and provide the same benefits to our partners. 

I am proud to be part of an employee-centric company that considers and is very willing to adapt to the needs of its employees.

I kept telling our family and friends about the benefit. I am sure Globe is one of the only few companies here in the Philippines that provide it. I am proud to be part of an employee-centric company that considers and is very willing to adapt to the needs of its employees.

Blue Sta. Maria

Senior Expert in People Engagement & Capability Enablement

Network Technical Group

At 35 years old, I proudly identify as gay within the LGBTQ+ community and a proud Ka-Globe.

The LGBTQ+ community’s call for acceptance, rather than mere tolerance, remains strong in a patriarchal and predominantly religious country like ours. But throughout my nearly 12 years at Globe, I am pleased to share that I have not witnessed any discriminatory behavior towards LGBTQ+ individuals. This inclusive environment allows us to thrive in our respective roles and ensures equal opportunities for all. 

In last year’s Pride celebration at NTG, Blue invited the podcast #2BrokeGays

I am genuinely thrilled about our Pride celebration last year, where we had the Pride Wall, Workplace Rainbow Badge, Workplace Photo Frame, and insightful seminars and drag shows. At NTG, we marked Pride by hosting my friends from the podcast industry, the hosts of #2BrokeGays, for a video podcast, focusing on podcasting tips and discovering your niche.

I strongly believe that Globe is leading the way in DEI Policy. I take great pride in being part of a company that values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

Mark (right) and his partner

Mark Anthony Dimaisip

Senior Manager - Employee Engagement

Employee Experience

One of the reasons why I joined Globe was the Diversity Benefit. I first learned about it during the job offer. Applying for it was fairly easy: I just needed to submit CENOMAR and Marriage Certificate, as well as the personal details of my husband.

It allows us to save on medical expenses. My husband recently had kidney stones. He had to visit the emergency several times as we were observing if the stone could pass naturally. After a week, we decided to go with shockwave treatment. The expenses are astronomical. He has his own HMO but his dependent status in mine meant that he didn't need to max out his own card or cash out anything.

Mark’s partner John after his shockwave procedure

We are also both enrolled in KonsultaMD and we use it every time we have the flu, seasonal allergies, or medical questions. Living next to a mall with an accredited clinic is also a blessing as we just need to go down if we need labs or face-to-face doctor consults.

I feel that Globe is one of the safest spaces for queer people. We've had drag queens performing in our events years and years before we had Drag Race Philippines. We allow employees to dress according to the gender that they identify with. We accept all types of hairstyles, nail colors, or piercings. But most importantly, we don't need diversity hires because queer people already thrive and excel here.

It’s wonderful to work in a company that respects and embraces all.

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If you’d like to know more about Globe’s Diversity Benefit, you may read more HERE.

Let’s send love by clicking the ‘heart’ icon below! Sound off in the comments: What makes you feel at home in Globe?