In acknowledgement of pride month this June, we will explore how your workplace can celebrate this month of inclusivity and establish practices that create a more inclusive workplace.
What is Pride month?
Pride Month is about acceptance, equality and celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people. These celebrations usually take place in the form of an outdoor parade, where large crowds gather to march, often waving the rainbow pride flag as their banner. Pride Month is also an opportunity to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ history and educate the general public about LGBTQ+ topics.
Why is Pride Month important?
A lot of progress has been made for LGBTQ+ rights regarding issues such as marriage equality, but there is more employers can do to support the LGBTQ+ community. As an employer, you have a responsibility to support the health and wellbeing of your entire workforce.
1. Host a diversity and inclusion workshop
As an employer, it is your responsibility to teach your workforce about the importance of inclusion in the workplace. Pride month is an ideal time for this education. These workshops function as an educational tool and usually involve an external professional: an LGBTQ+ advocate/expert, who can teach your business how to facilitate LGBTQ+ equality. The speaker will use their experiences to provide information, sharing anecdotes that resonate with your LGBTQ+ employees.
These workshops will let your LGBTQ+ employees know that your business is forward-thinking and supportive - they will also inform your heterosexual employees about the correct terminology and pronouns.
2. Fundraise for a local LGBTQ+ charity
Fundraising is a great way to engage your LGBTQ+ staff and demonstrate how your organisation is committed to promoting inclusiveness. There are numerous ways for your business to donate. It can be as simple as setting up a QR code to a JustGiving page. You can then include the QR code on any company printouts, flyers, emails, and TV screens around the office so your employees can donate.
3. Run a pride campaign on social media
Over the last decade, it has become standard practice for organisations to use social media to attract clients and market products. The outreach of social media potential is immense and your organisation can use these online outlets for social change – educating followers and giving a voice to LGBTQ+ employees.
4. Evaluate your discrimination and diversity policies and standards
Recent figures show that more than 46% of LGBTQ+ employees have experienced unfair treatment at work at some point in their lives. Everyone has a part to play in improving inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. However, successful organisational change starts from the top-down. As an employer, you have the authority to implement policies, offer initiatives and guide workplace culture. With that comes a responsibility to do the right thing. To facilitate the necessary change.
5. Establish an inclusive workplace culture
Company culture is the key indicator to your both existing and prospective employees of your workplace’s dedication to inclusivity and diversity. That culture of encouraging and celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity starts from the top – with your leadership team!
Encourage managers to take leadership roles within a culture of open dialogue and understanding – where all employees are not only respected and included, but can learn from and grow alongside their colleagues.
Inclusive language is key when building a diverse, welcoming workplace culture, as well as remaining mindful of potentially uncomfortable topics such as gendered uniforms, bathrooms, and home lives. Why not get your newly-formed LGBTQ+ employee resource groups together to come up with a new ‘inclusive language guide’ for your company that benefits your customers as well as your employees?
Pride is a major occasion around the world. It can be a celebration, as well as a time to assess how we approach and value the people around us, whatever their orientation or gender. It’s time to start planning your Pride celebrations and show your support for equality.