Johnson & Johnson Open&Out
Johnson & Johnson’s Open&Out chapter in Prague was founded in 2018 to promote diversity and inclusion in the Czech Republic. That year, they joined the Pride Business Forum and Prague Pride organizations to support their LGBTQIA+ colleagues and raise awareness about their challenges. This year, they have hosted events like anonymous HIV/STD testing at J&J premises, as well as educational sessions on LGBTQIA+ issues such as adoption and marriage equality. Recently, at the 14th Pride Business Forum conference, Johnson & Johnson received the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer 2024 Silver Award, recognizing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In a recent interview, Open&Out’s core team discusses the importance of their Employee Resource Group (ERG) and its work.
Q: Could you please describe how the Open&Out community supports its members?
Rufat:
Johnson & Johnson’s Open&Out ERG has over 5000 members globally and has been active for 31 years. In Prague, Open&Out has been active since 2018 with a strong member and ally base. Within this group, we give space for LGBTQIA+ members to connect, network, overcome prejudices, socialize, and create a safe and empowering space for our employee community. Open&Out strives to motivate LGBTQIA+ members and allies to tackle questions and search for answers related to their experiences. Locally, we support individuals by sharing thoughts, insights, interests, and personal experiences. The ERG team is essential for events, planning, and communication at J&J. We organize events for our members and the J&J community about LGBTQIA+ rights, issues, and history.
Q: Could you explain your cooperation with Prague Pride last year and what you achieved together?
Nadezda:
Our cooperation with Prague Pride has been ongoing since 2018. We sponsor and promote Pride participation within the organization and participate in external activities organized by Prague Pride and Pride Business Forum. Our Open&Out members and allies join with friends and families, attending Prague Pride as a group in the hundreds. Pride is a personal experience, and we are glad to be united and support such a cause. Our commitment to LGBTQIA+ equality is year-round and aligns with our values. At J&J, we believe inclusivity makes us stronger, and we will continue to champion equality for all.
There are many other events organized by Global O&O that employees can join monthly. Participation in Prague Pride is our biggest event of the year, with over 200 participants from J&J in 2023. We are constantly working with the O&O team in Prague to develop new initiatives throughout the year.
Q: How would you evaluate J&J as a place to work for people in the LGBTQIA+ community?
Matej:
We are proud that J&J is recognized as a leader in LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. We achieved 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index every year since 2003. In the Czech Republic, we support our LGBTQIA+ employees with inclusive health and benefits policies and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion daily. Johnson & Johnson values diversity, and Open&Out is proud to represent LGBTQIA+ employees and allies. We are open about our identities, active within the community, and promote communication and education on relevant topics at all company levels. J&J prides itself on its Credo, which prioritizes communities and employees. An annual Credo survey reflects employee satisfaction and belonging, which is a major focus for us. We are proud of the positive environment we foster.
