Skip to main content

Standards of conduct for business

Standards of Conduct for Business: Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI people is an unprecedented set of global standards to support the business community in tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex people.

Produced with the Institute for Human Rights and Business and launched in 2017, the Standards build on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They reflect the input of hundreds of companies across diverse sectors and civil society, featuring case studies and best practices.

The 5 standards

  1. RESPECT the human rights of their LGBTI workers, customers and members of the public
  2. ELIMINATE workplace discrimination against LGBTI employees
  3. SUPPORT LGBTI staff at work
  4. PREVENT discrimination and related abuses against LGBTI customers, suppliers and distributors—and insist that business partners do the same
  5. STAND UP for the human rights of LGBTI people in the communities where they do business

Download the Standards of Conduct for Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI people:
English | 中文 l Français l Español | Português (PDF)

Read the summary:
English | 中文 | Français l Español | Português (PDF)

Learn more about the standards

Join the growing list of company supporters

We are working with the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality to raise awareness of the UN Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Intersex People.

More than 400 companies worldwide have expressed support of the Standards. You can view the growing list of supporter companies, and get your company added to the list of supporters.


LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool
This tool guides companies in reviewing their implementation of the UN Standards of Conduct for Business to tackle discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex and queer people in the workplace and beyond. The LGBTIQ+ Tool consists of a gap analysis methodology and questionnaire and is supported by a scoring system and recommendations on how to close gaps and strengthen policies, processes and methodologies to ensure inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people.


Minding the Corporate Gap (2022)
This publication provides guidance for human rights defenders in approaching, engaging, and enlisting the backing of business for measures that promote greater equality and protection of the human rights of LGBTI persons. It also offers companies, including human resource management professionals and those promoting diversity and inclusion within companies, with an overview of areas for potential collaboration with LGBTI civil society, as well as practical examples of such collaboration in different parts of the world.