Coles Group is committed to attracting and employing people that represent the communities they work in – building a safe and supportive working environment for all team members, regardless of age, disability, race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, family responsibilities or cultural background. Coles provides LGBTQIA+ inclusion training to all teammembers to create a workplaces where everyone feels like they can be their authentic selves at work.
Over 2021 and 2022, Coles completed its rollout of the Welcome Here community program run by ACON, visibly promoting all 2,500 Coles stores and sites as welcoming and inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities. In 2022, they announced paid Gender Affirmation Leave to support their trans and gender diverse team members. Coles has also worked closely with Pride in Diversity to ensure their policies and practices are inclusive of all genders and sexualities, and now holds Gold Employer status with the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
Coles has built a strong ‘Pride@Coles’ network which actively contributes to local LGBTQIA+ communities and events all across Australia. Coles is now a proud partner of Sydney WorldPride, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Pride Cup Australia, Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras, Pride WA, the Port Douglas Hot & Steamy Festival, and Pride in Diversity’s Regional Outreach program. Coles has also donated to Brisbane’s Big Gay Day and Minus18.
