Avanade, a global tech firm and provider of digital and cloud services and business solutions, has announced a gender transition leave policy across its European workforce.

All of Avanade’s employees in Europe – including the UK and Ireland – will be entitled to paid leave “associated with transition and change of gender expression.” This will include when accessing medical surgery, hormone replacement therapy, initial non-invasive transitioning, and more.

The policy is designed for transgender and non-binary employees, and according to a shared statement on the news, forms part of the company’s “commitment to promote a culture of respect for individuals and supporting them through key life events.”

According to the statement, Avanade is already a “dedicated supporter of LGBT+ employees”. This new policy can be seen as an extension of their strategy to create a more inclusive workplace for underrepresented groups to present their authentic selves.

Such a move is necessary for the tech sector more broadly, which suffers from a lack of diverse representation. In 2018 the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) reported that 30% of young LGBT+ people in the UK would not consider a career in science or technology due to the fear of discrimination.

Anna Di Silverio, Avanade Europe President, said: “We continue to support our employees in creating an inclusive workplace where they feel confident to be their authentic selves, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our new pan-Europe gender transition leave policy is just one example of how we are taking positive action. We want to ensure our employees feel cared for, and through initiatives like this, we can help drive real change in the tech industry, making it a more inclusive environment for all.”