At Altair Global, we firmly believe that relocation should be a safe and comfortable experience for all employees, regardless of the community they identify with, or differing country and city views.

Our organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends beyond lip service—it influences how we communicate, how policies are set, and even the partners within our supplier network as well as anyone that is an extension of our company.

We recognize the importance of advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community and leveraging our influence in the mobility space to drive positive change. As Liana Ciatto, Senior Vice President of Client Services, states, “It is important for our team members, our clients, and the employees that we relocate that we are using our voice to support and advocate for the community.”

In a global mobility context, understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+  relocating employees is vital to providing effective support. Recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages varies across countries, necessitating comprehensive plans to ensure the safety and well-being of this community during a relocation. It is important to be aware of the legal status in different countries.

Altair sponsors the Permits Foundation, an organization that assists partners, spouses, and/or families of international employees in obtaining authorization in that country and, at times, access to employment. Permits Foundation supports diversity and inclusiveness, regardless of same-sex or non-traditional relationships, and will provide relocating employees with advice and cultural sensitivities to be aware of before relocating.

Our Global Consulting Services team offers expert insights and successful strategies for safely relocating LGBTQIA+ employees. With a commitment to treating everyone with empathy and respect, our Consultants make sure that our clients’ policies prioritize equity and support the LGBTQIA+ community.

To delve deeper into this topic, read our Consulting Corner piece, “A Soft Landing: Successful Strategies to Relocate LGBTQIA+ Employees Safely.”

We understand the importance of providing comprehensive support to relocating employees and their families. As part of our Destination Services, our dedicated providers engage in a needs assessment with each employee to ensure their unique requirements are addressed. We acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ families may have specific concerns related to their orientation, and our network of providers is well-equipped to offer guidance and connect employees with LGBTQIA+-friendly communities and relevant resources.

Liana Ciatto stresses the importance of considering every relocating employee’s circumstance when it comes to their relocation benefits.

“Engaging in open communication that fosters honesty, transparency, and understanding is critical in supporting any relocating employee and especially those that are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They may have different needs or concerns and as part of our commitment to experience management, it is our duty to thoughtfully help all relocating employees navigate those challenges.”

– Liana Ciatto, Senior Vice President, Client Services at Altair Global

In addition to Altair’s personalized assistance, Ciatto goes on to explain, “We also have city and country guides on our STAR Customer Portal that are sponsored by a company called World Trade Resources and we ensure that they also have access to information for those that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

This inclusive resource within the STAR portal encompasses a dedicated section specifically tailored to support the LGBTQIA+ community, providing vital location-specific information and insights into community resources. We continuously monitor and update this information to ensure its accuracy and relevance.

Altair works with the right partners who share our commitment to supporting relocating employees from diverse communities, ensuring a seamless and inclusive relocation experience.

We also provide resources and training to equip our team members with the knowledge and skills needed to embrace diversity, including understanding pronouns, demonstrating sensitivity, and adopting an empathetic approach to handle any concerns that people may have. We firmly believe that supporting diversity is not only good for business but also the right thing to do for both our team members and the corporate clients we serve to ensure they feel supported. As Ciatto emphasizes, “Not only is this important to us, it’s just the right thing to do.”

As we celebrate Pride Month, Altair Global stands proud in our dedication to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, where everyone—team members, clients, and customers alike—feels supported, respected, and valued throughout their relocation journey. Happy Pride Month!