WPA Supporting Pride Month and Beyond
All workplaces can benefit from the positive effects of a culture of diversity and inclusion, they are well documented with increases in productivity, creativity, and profits – the key message that many of these metrics miss is that at the heart of these numbers people exist. At the core of it, when your employees feel happy, comfortable, and safe to be themselves they perform better.
The Stonewall LGBT in Britain – Work Report (2018) shows how much discrimination remains in workplaces. The report, based on YouGov research with 3,213 LGBT employees, reveals the experiences of LGBT people in the workplace. Findings include:
- More than a third of LGBT staff (35%) have hidden that they are LGBT at work for fear of discrimination.
- One in ten black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT employees (10%) have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues in the last year.
- Nearly two in five bi people (38%) are not out to anyone at work.
At SWPA we work hard to promote positive diversity and inclusion of everyone in our region and the rest of the LHC teams. June, as pride month, is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ team members.
Emily Bull, Client Research Officer at SWPA says, ‘Working for SWPA and LHC, I have never felt any discrimination for being a member of the LGBT+ community – it’s a refreshing feeling and has helped me to be more comfortable with expressing myself in the workplace.’
More than celebrating and including our colleagues, we hope to make lasting changes – for all current and future employees.
Director of WPA, Neil Barker says, ‘This is a hugely important area for us, we are working with a proactive HR department within LHC who are tackling a range of issues – we hope that we will become an excellent and supportive workplace for members of the LGBT+ community, free from discrimination at work and from any customers or suppliers.’
LGBTQIA+ inclusion, leads to a wider culture of diversity and inclusion – read ‘7 Tips to Promote Equality & End Workplace Discrimination’ from Skillcast as a starting point for any organisation.
