Amid growing safety concerns arising from anti-trans legislation and public demonstrations, Lightspeed has expanded its employee relocation policy to support international LGTBQ+ staff looking to move for their health and well-being. 

The Montreal-based fintech launched the initiative in July, and has made it available to its approximately 3,000 employees in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Lightspeed’s president JD Saint-Martin said in an interview. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Fear for well-being: LGTBQ+ community members face increasing instances of hate and violence in Canada, the U.S. and countries around the world. At the same time, legislation targeting transgender people is on the rise. Fully 18 U.S. states have passed laws that limit or ban supports important to the community, such as gender-affirming care for minors and education about sexual orientation in schools. Last month, Canada updated its international travel advisory to warn members of the LGTBQ+ community that they may face discrimination in certain U.S. locations.

While Saint-Martin declined to comment on legislation that may be impacting its LGTBQ+ employees, he said some “felt targeted by the communities where they interact and where they live to the point where they were very concerned for their physical well-being.” According to Lightspeed, 10 per cent of its workers identify as LGBTQ+.

The details: Lightspeed’s relocation policy, which previously supported employees making moves within the company, invites LGTBQ+ workers to relocate to any country, state or province where the firm has a footprint, Saint-Martin said. 

The company will offer its standard coverage for moving costs, and all expenses associated with visa and work permit authorization, including legal services and fees to obtain and renew visas or Lightspeed-sponsored work and residence permits. 

Citing the policy’s confidentiality agreement, Saint-Martin wouldn’t give examples of locations employees are looking to leave, or go to. But he noted that a couple of cases have come up in Europe, and Lightspeed is discussing options with those workers. 

The impact: The company’s announcement follows news that Dallas-based online job-search firm Indeed launched a US$10,000 relocation payment for transgender employees or parents with trans children. Other companies looking to show goodwill toward current employees, or bulk up their talent by drawing new ones, may follow suit. 

”The business outcome of taking a stance like this and making sure we stand by our values is that we’re able to also attract really amazing and talented people,” Saint-Martin said.