Optus has long supported and empowered their LGBTQIA+ employees to foster greater inclusion through visibility, awareness and support and be a place where their people can bring their full selves to work. Internally Optus has an employee-led volunteer group called Express Yourself that was formed by a team of passionate employees advocating for Marriage Equality in Australia. The Express Yourself Employee Network keeps the two-way conversation going with the people of Optus, driving engagement, understanding, and elevating their LGBTQ+ talent.
In 2021, Optus formalised, Express Yourself Network, sponsored by their Chief Financial Officer, to bring together people with shared identities and their allies and foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment. Critically, Express Yourself is a key pillar in Optus’ broader Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy which also includes Employee Networks for Women, Culture and Heritage, Abilities and Disabilities, and Veterans and Services. Optus’s Networks are set to create spaces for change where everyone is not only accepted for who they are but are expected to be their authentic selves.
Optus has contributed to the LGBTQIA+ community through support of organisations such as Pride in Diversity, Gay and Lesbian Organisation of Business Enterprise (GLOBE), Wear it Purple and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association. Optus is also a partner of Queer Film Festival and has been a previous commercial participant in the Mardi Gras parade.
Optus also have a range of social impact programs which are aimed at increasing digital inclusion and supporting education and employability for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. Some examples include; Pathways2Employment (retail skills training and employment program), Australian Business Community Network (mentoring programs) Donate Your Data (digital inclusion program supporting a range of charities), Digital Thumbprint (Digital safety and education program) Yes4Good (Optus’ workplace giving and volunteer program that staff can support their favourite charities and causes).
