Aspire in Partnership: Top Tips to attract and retain LGBTQ+ Individuals within your Business

February is LGBTQ+ History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and communities. As we mark this month, it’s important for organisations to consider how they can include and support LGBTQ+ people as a part of their own communities and workplaces. Here, Adrian Bird from Aspire in Partnership shares his top five tips to help you attract and retain LGBTQ+ individuals in your business.

1. Educate yourself and others: The first step in supporting LGBTQ+ people is to educate yourself about the history, struggles, and accomplishments of the community. This can involve reading books and articles, attending workshops or events, or simply having open and respectful conversations with LGBTQ+ individuals. It’s also important to educate others within your organisation, including co-workers and supervisors, to help create a more inclusive environment.
2. Create a safe and inclusive workplace: Organisations should strive to create a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. This can include implementing policies that protect against discrimination, offering training on LGBTQ+ issues, and providing resources and support for employees who are struggling. Additionally, organisations can create employee resource groups or affinity groups specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals to provide a sense of community and support within the workplace.
3. Celebrate diversity: During LGBTQ+ History Month, organisations can celebrate the diversity of their employees by holding events, workshops, or other activities that recognise and honour the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. This can include a presentation or panel discussion on LGBTQ+ history, or a celebration of the achievements of LGBTQ+ trailblazers.
4. Support LGBTQ+ organisations and causes: Organisations can also show their support for the LGBTQ+ community by making a donation to a local LGBTQ+ organisation (such as Manchester Pride) or supporting LGBTQ+ causes. This can include supporting LGBTQ+ youth programs, health organisations, or advocacy groups that work to promote equality and dignity for all.
5. Be an ally: Finally, it’s important for organisations to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. This means standing up against discrimination and violence, and advocating for policies and practices that promote equality and respect for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
    

In conclusion, LGBTQ+ History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, and for organisations to consider how they can support and include LGBTQ+ individuals as part of their own communities and workplaces. By educating ourselves, creating a safe and inclusive environment, celebrating diversity, supporting LGBTQ+ organisations and causes & being an ally, we can all work together to create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.

For specialist inclusive recruitment support to help your organisation become more diverse, please contact Adrian on 07503620816 or Adrian.bird@gcemployment.uk.