29 May 2019
R Patching
[FYI request #10287 email]
Tēnā koe R Patching
Your Official Information Act request, reference: 0054248
Thank you for your email of 10 May 2019 asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
•
A copy of all announcements about a rainbow network and pride made on ACC’s intranet, and all
comments made by staff on those posts
Our response
In February 2019, ACC launched Pride@ACC – Te Whānau Uenuku ki ACC, a network which aims to
ensure that LGBTQIA+ staff are safe, visible and valued by ACC. Three announcements were made on
ACC’s intranet on 18, 21 and 27 February 2019 sharing news and photographs of the launch events
which took place at ACC branches across the country.
The response to the launch was overwhelmingly positive with many staff members posting comments
celebrating and supporting the network. However, there was one negative comment, made on religious
grounds from someone who did not see the event as something to celebrate. Many comments came in
response to this, making a point of disagreeing and supporting diversity.
The comment was reported, and careful consideration was given to whether it should be taken down.
Discussions were held with the Talent (HR) team; members of the Pride@ACC network and our social
media experts. It was decided that the comment should be left up because:
• Social media was doing its job with many responses challenging the negativity and supporting
the network, and
• It was important to have a genuine conversation on the issue. Diversity can be a challenging
subject for some, and negative reactions are often based on ignorance. By talking things through
we can chal enge ignorance and open people’s eyes to different perspectives. Shutting the
conversation down ran the risk of reinforcing negative feelings and allowing them to fester.
ACC has discussed the matter with the individual concerned and reminded them that such comments
are not in line with ACC’s values and beliefs.
A copy of the announcements, including al comments made by staff on the posts is attached at
Appendix A. Some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act to protect the privacy
of natural persons.
If you have any questions, you can email me at
[email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800
802 602.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Emma Coats
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement & Support