By HR and health & safety consultancy Peninsula Canada
June is Pride Month. It’s all about recognizing and celebrating the diversity that strengthens organizations and the vibrant LGBTQ2+ community. It’s also a great opportunity for businesses to come together and set high standards of their commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the workplace.
By setting a high standard, organizations aim to inspire others to follow in their footsteps in creating an inclusive workplace. How to create an LGBTQ2+ inclusive workplace?
One of the most important steps employers can take to support the LGBTQ2+ community is to create a culture that is welcoming, accepting, and supportive of diversity. This can involve several different strategies, including:
- Developing an anti-discrimination policy that explicitly includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as protected grounds.
- Providing regular training to all employees on issues related to diversity and inclusion, including LGBTQ2+ issues.
- Ensuring that all employees are aware of the company’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive workplace culture and encouraging them to report any instances of discrimination or harassment.
- Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion through company-wide events, such as LGBTQ2+ Pride Month celebrations or other cultural events that are important to members of the LGBTQ2+ community.
- Providing resources and support for employees who may be struggling with issues related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, such as counselling services or access to support groups.
Inclusivity enhances business success by improving employee engagement, expanding market reach, and building a positive brand reputation. It leads to better decision-making and drives financial performance by leveraging diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment that attracts top talent and loyal customers.
A global leader in HR and health & safety consulting, Peninsula has been supporting small and medium businesses for 40 years. We are trusted by over 140,000 SMBs globally. In Canada, we helped over 6,500 SMBs with tailored HR documentation, 24/7 employer advice, and provide employment management software. We pride ourselves on delivering a service that mitigates risk, adds value, and allows businesses to focus their time on what matters most.