News release

JLL Hong Kong recognised for creating inclusive workplaces

Company pays it forward with new HR policy granting same-sex couples the same benefits as heterosexual married couples without the need for a marriage license

June 15, 2021

HONG KONG, 15 June 2021 - JLL is pleased to announce that JLL Hong Kong recently garnered the Equal Opportunity Employer Award for the Gender Equality, Equality for Diverse Abilities categories in the inaugural Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) along with a Bronze rating in Community Business 2021 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index.

In order to be awarded by the EOC, JLL has demonstrated commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities values and adopted commendable equal opportunities, and diversity and inclusion policies and practices in gender and diverse abilities. EOC has introduced the Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme on the 25th year of its operation in 2020 and received overwhelming responses with a total of 420 applications from a wide spectrum of industries and organisations.

The Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index, run every two years since 2015 by Community Business, is Asia's first benchmark on corporate policies and practices for creating inclusive workplaces for LGBT+ employees. This year, 37 organisations participated in the Index, varying from large multi-nationals to small NGOs from multiple industries, including financial services, hospitality, pharmaceutical, technology, legal, media, properties and real estate and the third sector.

Providing more inclusive employee benefits

JLL encourages employees to bring their whole self to work and has recently introduced a new HR policy in Hong Kong. Under the new policy, same-sex couples are eligible for the same benefits as heterosexual married couples when providing a personal relationship declaration with supporting documentation. This is a progressive step in Hong Kong, and based on a previous benefits design practice report provided by our consultant, only 11% of companies based in Hong Kong provided medical benefits to same-sex couples.

Gavin Morgan, Managing Director, JLL in Hong Kong, said: “This is the first time JLL Hong Kong has been awarded a ranking standard in the Community Business Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index, the highest rated real estate organisation in the city, as well as receiving recognition of the Equal Opportunity Employer Award for the Gender Equality, Equality for Diverse Abilities categories at the same time is a true testament of our efforts and commitment to upholding the values of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. With our new HR policy granting same-sex couples the same access to benefits as heterosexual married couples, JLL is proud to take the lead in providing an inclusive environment and associated benefits for all our colleagues.”


About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.6 billion in 2020, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 91,000 as of March 31, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.