ExxonMobil Bans Pride Flag and Others From Company Flagpoles
The New York Times reports. And flags representing company-approved employee resource groups, such as the LGBTQ+ group, can be flown on corporate flagpoles, and they along with government flags are the only ones approved for such use.“The updated flag protocol is intended to clarify the use of the ExxonMobil branded company flag and not intended to diminish our commitment to diversity and support for employee resource groups,” Tracey Gunnlaugsson, vice president of human resources, said in a statement to Bloomberg News, which was the first outlet to report on the issue. “We’re committed to keeping an open, honest, and inclusive workplace for all of our employees, and we’re saddened that any employee would think otherwise.”Some employees do think otherwise.
The LGBTQ+ group’s Houston chapter will not represent the company in the city’s June 25 Pride parade, Bloomberg reports.“Corporate leadership took exception to a rainbow flag being flown at our facilities” in 2021, Exxon’s PRIDE Houston group wrote in an email viewed by the news service. “PRIDE was informed the justification was centered on the need for the corporation to maintain ‘neutrality.’”“Employee resource groups were consulted only in a perfunctory way regarding this matter, based on momentary discomfort with displaying a symbol of open-mindedness and support for long-suppressed voices,” J.
