How Workplaces Can Create a Welcoming Environment for Everyone

Dino Freitas, Lead—IT Operations, Synechron, London, UK and Frank Ojeda, Lead–Visa & Immigration, Synechron, Charlotte, North Carolina share their collective wisdom for best practices that workplaces can provide to assure a supportive, all-inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community, their allies, non-binary individuals, and all others who work across a company’s global ecosystem. They also address the elephant in the room – must someone come out at their workplace?

Key Workplace Tips for Ensuring Equality

Workplaces can make great strides to enable an inclusive environment where employees are empowered to be their true, authentic selves, without fear of criticism, retribution, name-calling or other exclusionary practices. This is not difficult. But it takes a commitment to embrace all, and the will to enforce inclusiveness, as necessary. Here are some ideas for policies and practices:

Devise a Zero Tolerance for Discrimination Policy: Clearly communicate a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or microaggressions based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Examples: mailers, breakroom posters, etc.  

Enable Supportive Leadership: Ensure that leaders and managers are allies and advocates for LGBTQ+ employees. Lead by example in embracing diversity, especially publicly via Yammer, LinkedIn, etc. 

Provide Training and Awareness: Provide regular training around DEI, including LGBTQ+ awareness, to help employees understand different perspectives and challenges. 

Implement Gender-Neutral Language: Use gender-neutral language in company communications and forms, respecting preferred pronouns. Include this in employee handbooks and other company literature. 

Initiate Mentorship and Networking: Establish mentorship programs to connect LGBTQ+ employees with supportive colleagues and allies for guidance, mentoring and career development.