Jobhop Jobhop's blog : LGBT Pride Month: How to Create an Inclusive Work Culture
June was pride month, and you know what that means: the next few weeks will be full of rainbow drenched parades, festivals, and parties.
But how do we celebrate LGBT pride at work?
Although we are fortunate enough to live in a time when a lot of people can openly celebrate their sexuality, this is certainly not the case for every workplace.
LGBT Pride Month is a time for businesses, people, cities, etc. across the country to recognise and celebrate the diversity, contributions and accomplishments of the LGBT community. While we celebrate the progress that the community has fought so hard to make, LGBT Pride Month is also a time to remind everyone about how far we've still got to go.
Want to give more meaning to LGBT Pride Month? Below, check out a few ways you can boost your LGBT advocacy...
Why is diversity important in the workplace?
Diversity promotes and encourages different perspectives and different talents. It inspires employees to think beyond their own views, reduce stigma, and push their boundaries. We need to create cultures of inclusion and diversity so everyone feels safe and free to be who they are. Diversity is likely to strengthen your company and enhance your recruiting efforts because employers who fail to create a safe and respectful environment risk losing valued clients and employees to more inclusive companies.
How does your company promote inclusion and diversity?
What can employers do?
While progress has been made, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people still worry that revealing their sexuality at work will have negative consequences. What can businesses do to support LGBT employees?
There are many things that you, as an employer, can do to create an inclusive work culture that is welcoming to all...
- Promote diversity at work
- As a company, oppose laws that suppress gay rights
- Take part in fundraising, volunteering and community events that support the LGBT community
- Develop policies regarding inclusion
- Educate all of your employees and support all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees
- Start anti-discrimination and harassment policies that address homophobia
How can you celebrate LGBT Pride Month?
If you are comfortable sharing about your sexuality or gender identity at work, Pride Month is a fab excuse - probably the best excuse, actually - to let your pride flag fly a little higher than usual. Pride month is a time to celebrate our progress as well as looking forward to the future. And so, without further ado, here are some ways you can celebrate LGBT Pride Month at work...
Go to pride festivals & parades with your colleagues
From Brighton to London to Manchester, some UK cities really know how to celebrate Pride Month in lavish style.
Wear LGBT Pride Apparel
This could mean anything from wearing rainbow jewellery to showing up with your face painted like a rainbow, but dress codes can depend on where you work. And as amazing as rainbow face paint may be, it's not professional, so I would suggest keeping things a little more subtle - rainbow socks, rainbow earrings, and so on.
Collect donations for an LGBT charity
Although pride month is fun, it is also a good chance to support the LGBT community, so you could consider collection small donations from around your workplace for a local LGBT charity. If possible, you could even see if the company itself are willing to donate.
Keep up with the news
In case you missed the huge news from Ireland last month, let me recap it for you. Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by a popular vote. Read and watch the news so you can stay up to date with the issues facing the LGBT community.
Support a loved one
Obviously, it's always best to be a supportive friend, but this month, in particular, is a great time to practice acceptance and show love for your LGBT family, friends and co-workers.
Talk about your own experiences
If you treat your own LGBT experiences the same way as your heterosexual co-workers do with their own - being professional, but not going out of your way to hide your dating life - you could be surprised how quickly people will adapt. Of course, this only applies if you feel comfortable with your sexuality or gender identity being known, and don't ever feel pressured to reveal private details of your life. Also, if you've been waiting for the right time to talk openly about your sexuality, it might be today. The best way to normalise something is to treat it like it's already normal.
Get involved
We would like to know your thoughts on this topic. What challenges do LGBT people face in the workplace? How can businesses support their LGBT workforce? What needs to change within businesses to create an inclusive environment? Which companies are getting it right?
Share your thoughts with us by tweeting us @Jobhop.
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- Random