Pride Month takes place annually in June and usually features a wide variety of activities and campaigns to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, the U.S Supreme Court ruled to prohibit sex discrimination, putting an end to workplace discrimination for LGBTQ+ workers.
At Filter, we are proud to have built an accepting and friendly culture, where every member of our team is valued and respected. As our team continues to grow, we are regularly evaluating our policies, our company handbook and our general approach to equality and inclusivity.
With this in mind, we have put together some useful tips on how to be a better ally within the workplace.
Use Inclusive Language:
It may sound small but using general language can make others feel more at ease. For example, if you are trying to get to know a new colleague and ask about their personal life or if they have a girlfriend/boyfriend, it is much better to ask ‘do you have a partner?’. This approach helps to avoid making assumptions or making the other person feel uncomfortable if they don’t want to discuss it.
Avoid Stereotypes:
Everyone has different hobbies and interests, when discussing things at work or inviting colleagues to events, avoid making assumptions that certain people will or will not like specific things. Being inclusive and encouraging everyone to get involved is much better than making snap judgements that can be hurtful or enforcing harmful stereotypes.
Be Empathetic:
We hope this goes without saying but if a colleague confides in you or talks about a situation or issue that is affecting them, you should absolutely treat them with respect and empathy. Even if you’re not 100% sure what to say, sometimes all you need to do is listen or respond with ‘I’m here for you’. Showing your support and letting someone know you’re right there with them, can make all the difference.
Speak Up:
If a situation comes up where someone makes an inappropriate joke or stereotypical comment, say something. In some cases, people may not even know they are being offensive and saying something could educate them and stop it from happening in the future. If the person is aware of their behaviour, it might be best to approach a more senior member of the team and ask for their advice. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable at work or like they can’t be themselves.
Educate Yourself:
We have included some useful links below as a starting point for LGTBQ+ education and awareness, these websites can help you to educate yourself on what is appropriate to discuss and how you can help to support your LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Helpful Links & Resources:
We may be celebrating Pride Month right now but we are committed to continually evaluating our company culture all year round.
You can click here to read more about our company values or to see our available job vacancies.
If you’d like to hear more from the Filter team, you can sign up to our newsletter or follow our CEO Oliver Morrison on LinkedIn or follow our company page.
