February is LGBT+ History Month.
While you might not be teaching or taking any history lessons in your workplace, this is a really good time to start thinking about exactly how inclusive and diverse your business really is.
Hopefully, your company doesn’t discriminate when it comes to hiring new talent. And that should mean that you have employees from a rich variety of backgrounds.
But while businesses are making real progress when it comes to diversity, the people we hire aren’t always as enlightened. This can lead to a divide or even bullying in the workplace.
It’s a sad fact that many people who identify as LGBT+ don’t feel comfortable enough to be themselves at work. We spend a lot of time at work, too. So that means people are hiding their true self for a huge chunk of their lives. Around one in five LGBT+ employees have also admitted to facing discrimination and exclusion because of their sexual identity.
So, as an employer, what can you do to stamp this out in your business and make sure that all of your people can feel safe to be themselves?
Start off by creating a clear policy around LGBT+ inclusion to show your commitment to tackling discrimination. Then, you may want to consider arranging training for your people. This can be inclusivity training, or something more specific to LGBT+ issues. Make your managers responsible for ensuring that training is effective and that your new policies are understood and adhered to.
You should also make it easy for anyone to report bullying or harassment. Creating open, two-way communication across the business makes it more likely that witnesses will report abuse, as well as making the targets of the abuse feel safer to come forward, too.
Finally, you may consider creating an LGBT+ network in your workplace. This can provide LGBT+ employees with a safe space to discuss issues with others who understand. It can also be a great way for you to gather feedback on how your policies are working, and they ways you can become more inclusive.
Can we help you to implement any of these ideas? Give me a call today to arrange a conversation.