techUK Pride beyond June
To be an ally, companies must create a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion and one that is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. 🏳️🌈
For the tech sector to combat inequalities that face the LGBTQ+ community, there is more that we can do to spotlight leaders and organisations working making steps towards creating more open and safe work environments.
Unfortunately, more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35%) have hidden or disguised their sexuality at work for fear of discrimination. Companies need to step up their inclusivity agendas.
While there is no quick fix, Pride Month is as an opportunity for companies across the globe to celebrate LGBTQ+ employees, customers and the community at large, educate allies, and continue to progress their inclusion initiatives.
Karen Thomson, Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Fujitsu and Chair of techUK's Skills & Diversity Council said:
"The responsibility is on all of us to care for others; to respect and value all our colleagues and consciously create an inclusive environment. Being an ally is a continuous life-long process of understanding the lived experiences of others, building meaningful relationships, and constantly taking the opportunity to grow and learn."
UK LGBT charity, Stonewall, publishes a list of the top 100 LGBT companies to work for every year and a number of techUK members made the list in 2020. Read from our members and wider on how they are supporting the community:
- Celebrating Pride - Equality isn’t just for one month a year - Elysia McCaffrey, Director of the Government Equalities Office in 2020, marked Pride by talking about the importance of inclusion in every industry, and at every level.
- LGBTQ+ Inclusion Is For Life Not Just For June - Dr. Alfredo Carpineti, the Chair and Founder of Pride in STEM, writes about the need for actionable plans after Pride month.
- Fujitsu UK’s Pride LGBT+ Network have released four allyship guides to support allies be proactive. These allyship guides give an overview of lesbian, gay, bi and trans identity, cover common misconceptions and specific things you can do to be an ally. If we all take it upon ourselves to be an ally to others, we will build inclusive workplaces for everyone.
- Microsoft celebrates Pride by centering on intersectionality, donating to LGBTQI+ non-profits and releasing the largest and most inclusive product lineup.
Is your company doing something for Pride or are you getting involved? Let me know.
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK.
