Free-Equal’s Post

Is your organization supporting LGBTQ professionals this Pride Month and beyond? #Coqual finds that LGBTQ professionals are more than eight times as likely as non-LGBTQ professionals to believe they have been treated unfairly at work because of their sexual orientation. Let’s break down barriers and foster workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we can build safe work environments for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Visit coqual.org to learn more about fostering inclusion in the workplace. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

Code-switching is a tactic used by a lot of marginalised communities to mitigate the chance of harassment or discrimination in spaces where they don’t feel safe or represented. In doing so, these communities feel as if they have to hide parts of their identity, and that is something no one should have to do in the workplace or any other setting. What about you, have you ever felt like you couldn’t freely be yourself in the workplace? To gain insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ professionals in the workplace, check out the results from the LinkedIn and Impact Media report ⬇️ #Freeda #LGBTQ #Work #CodeSwitching

LGBTQ+ workers want more than just pride flags in June 🏳️🌈💼💪 The article discusses the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ workers beyond the use of Pride flags in June. #LGBTQ #PrideMonth 🌈💔🚫 Discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers is still prevalent in many workplaces. #Equality #Inclusion 💼📋📚 Companies should prioritize implementing inclusive policies and trainings to support LGBTQ+ employees. #WorkplaceEquality #DiversityandInclusion 🌈🗓️🎉 Celebrating Pride Month is important, but ongoing support and allyship are essential throughout the year. #PrideAllYear #Allyship 🏢🤝💪 Allies can play a crucial role by promoting a safe and accepting work environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. #LGBTQAllies #SafeSpace 💻💬💙 Engaging in open conversations and active listening can help to address the concerns and needs of LGBTQ+ employees. #OpenDialogue #ListeningMatters 🔍🔎✅ Organizations should conduct regular assessments to ensure equal treatment, benefits, and opportunities for LGBTQ+ staff members. #EqualOpportunities #FairTreatment 🌈💪💥 Advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights should extend beyond the workplace, supporting legislative efforts for equal rights and protections. #EqualityForAll #LegislativeSupport https://buff.ly/3RQ49GI

I feel bothered... Why do we ignore the word Intersectional? Is it because it's easier to focus on one aspect of a person, rather than acknowledging the multiple layers that make up their identity? As we strive towards creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, we must recognise the importance of intersectionality. For instance, being Neurodiverse or LGBTQ+ is not just about one aspect of a person's identity. It's about noticing the multiple layers of those around us and understanding the other barriers that people might face and how your actions Intersect to truly create an equal and equitable D&I strategy. I will say I don't think it's good enough for us to just focus on one aspect of that community and I will continue to shout in webinars and events at the importance of understanding that regardless of whatever you do if it does not serve all marginalised groups then it's not truly equal. #Intersectionality #DiversityandInclusion #Neurodiversity #LGBTQ+ #belonging #antiracism

Last week, the Prism ERG (LGBTQ+ and ally community) at Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) successfully debuted the enablement of the #Pronouns feature in #MicrosoftTeams and #Microsoft365. After enabling this optional feature, all employees were granted the ability to add their pronouns to their profiles, visible whenever you hover over a fellow worker's name! Now, an unintentional (yet beneficial!) side effect is that this feature also enables the use of phonetic spellings! Since the pronoun feature is free text, we found that it can be used for helping others pronounce your name correctly in this virtual age. I've said before, and I'll say it again: Adding pronouns is an easy way to help be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community. I encourage you all--my LinkedIn Network--to submit a proposal to your respective IT and HR leadership to enable this feature in Teams and M365! https://lnkd.in/d5MXS68A #LifeAtMISO #DiscoverMISO

Over 8 million LGBTQ+ employees in the US workforce alone have experienced discomfort or conflict in the workplace. LGBTQ+ workers are often at risk of simply leaving a job instead of waiting and hoping for the culture to change. #HR #DiversityAndInclusion #DEI #LGBTQ+ #CompanyCulture #Discrimination #Retention Read here: https://bit.ly/3S8oqHF

In the final quarter of 2023, Mike Skeggs and I soft-launched The Collaborative Network CIC. As we gear up for our official launch in April, we wanted to share some information about our services. We are a subscription-based community support network and sign-posting service that connects businesses, business leaders and employees together with other professional services to allow an LGBTQ+ focused approach regarding LGBTQ+ matters which arise in the workplace. Our mission is to create a community movement that fosters inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We provide resources and support to businesses and organisations to help them create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Furthermore, we provide support and resources for those in the wider community who may feel like they are not valued, respected or appreciated in their day-to-day life. Our team are here to connect a community to offer support and acceptance. Having a strategy that supports safety and wellbeing is crucial for businesses with LGBTQ+ employees and clients. Explore our membership options and dive deeper into our mission at https://lnkd.in/eWUZY7CR #InclusivityInAction #DiversityAndInclusion #LGBTQInBusiness #EmpowermentThroughUnity #PrideInBusiness #EqualityForAll #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

It’s fantastic to see so many companies posting about the start of pride month but… How many of these companies are actually supporting their LGBTQ+ staff? With everything that’s going on in the world at the minute including the homophobia and transphobia in the current UK government, is it a surprise that over a third of UK workers feel that they need to hide their sexuality at work? You might have added the rainbow flag to your branding and put out a post about it being pride month but have you… 🌈 Developed an inclusive recruitment process to encourage LGBTQ+ applicants to apply? 🌈 Provided education and training to your staff around inclusive language and the use of pronouns? 🌈 Created a fully inclusive policy around parental leave? These are just a few examples, there are so many more things that you can do to support your LGBTQ+ members of staff. Of course, pride is a time to celebrate but it’s also a time for action. The community needs real allyship and support, not just a performative post on LinkedIn. #Pride #LGBTQIA #Pride2024 #Inclusion

Would you consider yourself or your organisation an Ally to the LGBTQ+ community? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Having Allies in the workplace and embracing a supportive attitude towards LGBTQ+ employees can have a major impact on their time at work and their wellbeing. Although many organisations work hard to create a safe environment, Stonewall found that 35% of employees may still hide that they are LGBTQ+ at work for fear of discrimination Creating a supportive environment through training, developing Employee Resources Groups, adopting inclusive policies and facilities, and encouraging gender-neutral language is so important to the wellbeing of your LGBTQ+ colleagues. This will ensure that they feel: ❤️ Able to bring their whole selves to work without fear 🧡 Increased confidence and morale 💛 Part of a team that advocates for them 💚 Valued and respected in the workplace 💙 Happier, healthier and more productive #pride #lgbtq #lgbtqwellbeing

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT is a global day to raise awareness about the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide. It’s a reminder that despite progress, many people still face significant challenges simply because of who they are or who they love. As we observe this day, let’s commit to: - Educating Ourselves and Others: Understanding the unique struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and spreading awareness about their rights. - Advocating for Change: Supporting policies and practices that promote equality and inclusion. - Creating Affirming Spaces: Ensuring our workplaces, communities, and social circles are inclusive and supportive of all identities. Everyone deserves to live without fear of discrimination or violence. Let’s stand together against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and work towards a world where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are. #IDAHOBIT #LGBTQ #Equality #Inclusion #Diversity #LGBTQRights