True Inclusivity in the Workplace

Inclusiveness should extend to LGBTQIA+ employees along with the entire workforce, writes David Casey.

In June, the nation and its capital commemorated Pride month, which honours the diversity, history, and influence of LGBTQIA+ individuals. LGBTQIA+ individuals historically had an upbringing characterised by the labelling of their identities as abnormal or pathological, often criminalised because of their existence, and subject to social stigma, prejudice, and marginalisation. For many individuals, this resulted in their exclusion from their family and community, as well as facing prejudice in crucial aspects of their lives, such as work.

Embracing one’s authentic self is undeniably a groundbreaking action, and remaining true to oneself is always the correct course of action. An inclusive workplace promotes employee wellness by positively impacting employees’ ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and expression. This produces a dynamic combination of innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, resulting in a high-performing organisation.

For most individuals, the workplace plays a pivotal role as a significant social environment. We aspire to express our authentic identities and have a sense of belonging in the workplace, allowing us to contribute our whole selves to our professional endeavours. Additionally, we desire our colleagues to have the freedom to engage in similar activities. However, achieving this is sometimes difficult for LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalised groups due to persistent prejudice, previous mistreatment, and other external barriers to inclusion.

To comprehend the intricate and diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ groups, it is necessary to have a grasp of the socio-historical backdrop in which they were raised. Human sexuality is a multifaceted subject that has a significant impact on an individual’s physical, emotional, mental, and societal well. Legal advancements have had an impact on the lives of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender in Ireland during the last three decades. Ireland has implemented legislation to safeguard individuals against discrimination in the workplace or public spaces based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. One of the most significant triumphs in the history of LGBTQIA+ rights in Ireland was the national referendum that led to the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act in 2015, granting marriage rights to same-sex couples. Nevertheless, this only impacted individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community who sought to engage in a same-sex marriage.  In contemporary society, this marginalised demographic encounters a more progressive Ireland, where they are now granted legal rights to marry, inherit property based on their state-approved relationships, adopt children, and receive government benefits. However, they still face obstacles in achieving complete freedom from discrimination in various aspects of life, particularly in employment and within our broader society, where significant stigma persists.

Ask yourself; have you or a work colleague ever?

Concealed the identity of your partner from unfamiliar individuals, and were apprehensive about expressing your true self in a professional setting? Are you worried about expressing your true self among your family and others? Have you experienced concerns about expressing your true self when in public? Have you ever encountered derogatory remarks while minding your own affairs in public or felt hesitant to hold your partner’s hand openly?  Have you personally encountered instances of physical abuse when behaving in a typical manner due to your identification as a member of the LGBTQI+ community, or have you observed such instances of abuse?

If you, a friend, or a work colleague are experiencing this, it is important to recognise that the fight for equal rights is still ongoing. A small enterprise has the potential to foster a nurturing atmosphere for all individuals. Throughout the year, we consistently commemorate diversity and inclusion. It is important for employees to have the opportunity to communicate their narratives, encounters, and concepts in the workplace in order to enhance the overall work environment for all individuals. Allyship holds significant importance in both the internal and external realms of the workplace. It signifies that inclusiveness extends beyond LGBTQIA+ employees to encompass the entire workforce. Comprehending pronouns and the ever-changing LGBTQIA+ terminology, together with the various flags, may be quite daunting. Consequently, individuals may hesitate to seek clarification due to concerns about causing offence. Workplace-wide trainings and workshops are offered in collaboration with organisations like LGBT+ Ireland and prideatwork.ie and the Irish Centre for Diversity collaborate. Although wellness programmes and efforts can offer assistance and support, they often overlook the specific stressors faced by LGBTQIA+ employees. These stressors might be considered as minority stress, which is a specific type of social stress experienced by individuals belonging to stigmatised groups due to their minority status. Assist in establishing secure and nurturing surroundings every day of the year and prioritise this for your small businesses today. Utilise inclusive language as a primary approach and provide training to both individuals and teams. A workplace should be a place where we can thrive not just survive.