Just three of 35 companies participating in the city's first LGBT workplace inclusion index are local Hong Kong firms, the non-profit group behind the benchmark has revealed.
The Hong Kong government - the city's biggest employer - has not signed up to the index, which measures the level of inclusion and equal opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
"This reflects the local situation ... we've reached out to thousands of companies, but many chose not to participate. It's obvious that it's not quite a mainstream issue among local companies," said Fern Ngai, chief executive of Community Business, an organisation devoted to enhancing corporate social responsibility.
Ngai said many companies, including local blue-chip concerns, refused to take part in the index, which is the first benchmark of its kind in Asia.
Of the 10 highest-scoring employers, nine are multinational financial companies or banks, with investment giant Goldman Sachs topping the list.
Ngai said multinationals tend to be more serious about diversity and inclusion and have implemented global policies specific to these issues. These companies are aware that better diversity and inclusion policies help attract, engage and retain top talent, she said.