3 Min Read Many things have changed in workplaces over the last few years but, the importance of diversity and inclusion remains paramount. The LGBTQ+ community has faced numerous challenges in the last several decades, but they have also made tremendous strides towards acceptance and equality. June is officially recognised as Pride month because it was during this time back in 1969 when the Stonewall Inn riots occurred. These events are marked as the catalyst that started the worldwide movement for LGBTQ+ rights we see today.
As an employer, it is your job to ensure that all of your employees feel respected and valued and a great way to do this is by educating your workforce on the importance of inclusion. With that said, there are lots of ways to celebrate Pride Month in the workplace and we thought we would share our top five.
Educate your workforce
To truly celebrate Pride Month, you must educate your workforce on why LGBTQ+ rights are so important. If your employees are educated on the struggles that the community has faced, then they will be able to better understand and empathise with them. This can also include providing resources for LGBTQ+ employees when needed as well as creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Host an inclusion and diversity workshop
Hosting an inclusion and diversity workshop is a great way to raise awareness about the importance of diversity. It’s important that everyone in the workplace, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation feels like they are being respected and included. This includes not only the people who work at your company but also clients and customers. An inclusion and diversity workshop will help foster a culture of understanding and acceptance that will benefit the entire organisation.
Host an event in support of an LGBTQ+ charity
It’s important to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community, but you may not know where to start. Consider hosting an event in support of an LGBTQ+ charity. This is a great way to raise awareness, rally your employees and customers in support of a cause, and make a difference.
Evaluate your discrimination & diversity policies
The first step in working to create an inclusive atmosphere is to evaluate your current discrimination and diversity policies. You should ensure that any policies you have are up-to-date so they address the newest legal changes and are inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Hire an LGBTQ+ speaker
This is a great way to learn more about the challenges the LGBTQ+ have faced, what they have achieved and how you can be a better ally to them. By bringing an LGBTQ+ speaker in, you are pushing for awareness and inclusion in your workplace.
Above are just some of the ways you can celebrate Pride Month at work. Whilst celebrating Pride Month is a great way to educate yourself and your team on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, it is also important to continue taking steps towards a more inclusive working environment, all year round.
