It's All About People

26th June - 3 minute read

Welcome back

This week’s It’s All About People covers:

🌈 Corby Pride Fun

🏳️‍🌈 The Significance of Pride

💷 Why This is Important for Business

😄 Steps to be an inclusive employer

🧠 Initials and flags - what they mean

📆 Events this month

Corby Pride

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending our local (Corby) Pride parade and festival – only in its second year. I was there with my friends and colleagues from Citizens Advice Corby and Kettering – who I am a Trustee for.

Pride is something I am very passionate about, as I am for all aspects of inclusion in the workplace - and beyond of course.

The atmosphere on the day was incredible, and local businesses (large and small) were out in force, proud of their inclusive workplaces.

Wincanton had a rainbow coloured truck leading the parade, RS Components sharing lots of goodies with the crowd and lots of local organisations sharing the day.

The Significance of Pride?

In the lead up to the parade on Saturday I was following local Facebook groups to gauge opinions. 

Predictably some of it was at best negative and at worst homophobic- but I was really happy to see that the positive comments and calling out poor behaviour far outweighed the negative.

A “common” theme of the negatives was about why Pride even happens, “when is straight / heterosexual month” was asked several times.

Pride Month holds deep historical significance, rooted in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. It serves as a commemoration of the Stonewall riots, a turning point in the fight against discrimination and oppression.

Pride exists to both celebrate the fabulous LGBTQIA+ community and also raise awareness that there are still significant barriers and discrimination.

Sadly, the number of reported hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people is on the rise and people continue to face unequal treatment in workplaces, healthcare, and other areas of life.

Why is this important for business?

The 2021 Census showed that approximately 3.2% of the population aged 16 and over in England and Wales identify as part of the LGBTQIA community.

However, with so many people in the community still not feeling able to be their true selves, this figure is likely to be higher.

A Boston Consulting Group survey showed the proportion of younger LGBTQIA employees in the workforce is increasing, reflecting a more diverse and inclusive generation.

So, you have team members who are in this community, and their allies - so making sure that you support them and remove any barriers makes good business sense.

Research has shown that both discrimination against people in the community, and also when people feel they cannot be themselves causing huge mental health problems.

Feeling excluded, marginalised, or compelled to hide one's true self, triggers a stress response within the brain, activating regions associated with fear and distress.

These chronic stressors can lead to a cascade of detrimental effects, including increased susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

Creating a culture of acceptance, understanding, and support outside of just one month, not only bolsters the mental wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ employees, but also cultivates a diverse and vibrant workforce, promoting innovation, collaboration, and overall organisational success.

Being known as an inclusive employer (not just in relation to this community) can really help you stand out as an employer and improve both recruitment and retention rates.

It really is a win-win for all.

Steps to be an inclusive employer 👇

• build a culture where commitment and support is visible, including from senior leadership.

• ensure all policies are inclusive, such as parental leave.

• provide diversity and inclusion training for all (to cover all aspects of diversity)

• comprehensive policies that cover any discrimination against this group (and others of course) and ensuring that any issues are dealt with quickly and seriously.

• have employee groups (sometimes known as ERGs). These groups can provide a platform for sharing experiences, fostering dialogue, and offering resources and support.

• Challenge assumptions, promote the use of inclusive language and challenge stereotypes

   

  By embracing the spirit of Pride throughout the year, companies can foster a work environment where every individual feels safe, respected, and valued for who they are.

In case you were wondering - why the rainbow colours 👇 

 RED - represents life. It symbolizes the vitality and passion of LGBTQ+ individuals and their resilience in the face of adversity.

ORANGE - The orange stripe represents healing. It represents the journey towards self-acceptance, emotional well-being, and the healing process.

YELLOW - represents sunlight. It symbolizes happiness, positivity, and the energy of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the desire for a brighter, more inclusive future.

GREEN - represents nature. It signifies the naturalness and beauty of LGBTQ+ identities.

BLUE - represents harmony. It symbolizes peace, serenity, and the unity among LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.

PURPLE - represents spirit. It symbolizes the spirit of pride, diversity, and individuality within the LGBTQ+ community.

Not Sure What Each Initial Is?

So often people are afraid to ask as they feel they should know, so in case you were wondering:

L - lesbian

G - Gay

B - bisexual

T - transexual

Q - queer or questioning

I - intersex

A - asexual (does not experience sexual attraction) OR ally who supports and advocates for the community

Plus + - other orientations and identities not covered in the others

That’s all for this week – I’m off to Pride London on Saturday with my son and his friends - going to be another great day I’m sure.

Emma 

P.S. For those of you reading this who are members of our HR Hub (I know a lot of you are) we have lots of resources on creating inclusive workplaces and specifically Pride in the “Ensuring Your Team Bring Their Best Version” area of the Hub.

 P.P.S.  If you are not a Hub member you can join here for only £45/month for all your HR needs.

P.P.P.S If we have not connected on LinkedIn yet, I would love to connect

Events Coming Up this Month 

Menopause Café (free for all to attend, and not just for the ladies!) – 25^th June 12pm 

Dates for Next Month 

HR Clinic (free to all, come and ask your HR questions) - July 16th 12pm 

Lunch and Learn – Animals in the Workplace (co hosted by our office dog - Daisy) - 9th July 12pm - free for all Hub members or £35/place for non-members 

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace (free session) - 23rd July 12pm 

Excellence Unleashed - Performance Management Masterclass (free to Hub members or £150/place) - 30th July 9.30-12.30pm