Pride Month Employee Benefits

Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, honouring their ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. Starting in 1970, this celebration occurs worldwide to commemorate its roots in the Stonewall Riot of June 1969 (1). With over 1.5 million people in the UK belonging to this community, it is vital to consider how to make your workplace an open and respectful place for all (2).

Many people in the LGBTQ+ community still worry about being open about their identity in the workplace. Given how much time is spent at work, more must be done to ensure they feel comfortable and supported. Across the UK, approximately 26% of LGBTQ+ employees are not out to any co-worker, and a staggering 50% are not out to their current boss (2).

Here are 5 great ways you can participate in Pride Month with your business:

1. Raise money for an LGBTQ+ charity

Showcasing your support by raising money for a charity, not only brings awareness to the LGBTQ+ community but also can be a great way to bring your team together for a good cause. You could set fun challenges, host a bake sale, create a special event or even an exercise scheme in order to generate donations for your chosen charity. To incentivise your people, offer a fun reward at the end of your chosen fundraiser to the person or team that raised the most money.

Once you have picked your charity, they may be able to come into your workspace and provide a personal introduction to their work and why it is so important. Educating your people can help foster a more accepting environment as well as make the people from your business who are part of this community more comfortable.

Stuck for ideas on charities? Here are our top picks!

2. Challenge Exclusionary Behaviour

Do you have policies in place to support the LGBTQ+ community? Are they paid equally? If not, why not take this month to consider how you can do more to build equal opportunities and rights within your organisation? Shockingly, one in five (21%) workplaces told the Trades Union Congress they do not have any policies in place to support their lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) staff at work (3).

The survey conducted by the Trades Union Congress also revealed that recent research suggests there is a 16% LGBT pay gap, meaning LGBT workers are effectively paid £6,703 less per year (3). Clearly evidencing there is still room for improvement regarding a more equal and closed pay gap. For Pride Month, take the time to review your practices and identify if there are any areas which need to be addressed to make your workspace equal.

3. Recommend Webinars For Your People

Recommending webinars to your people can be an informative way to introduce the meaning of Pride, get tips on addressing this in the workplace, and get expert advice from professionals in this area. It can also be an ideal moment for your team to ask any questions about making the LGBTQ+ community feel accepted in their company.

Many webinars are free to attend online and can take as little as half an hour out of your day. Raising awareness of the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and what each person can do to make this a little easier, provides your team with the essential information to take part in Pride Month.

Here are some webinars to get you started!

4. Showcase Your Support with Decorations

Celebrating Pride by decorating your office is a great way to raise awareness of the month in a light-hearted and creative manner. Hang posters, banners, or balloons around the office to encourage people to get involved and create a fun atmosphere.

You can even invite your team to decorate their desks for Pride Month and pick a winner for the best-decorated desk! Any posters hung in the office can be educational and provide top tips for supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace. The decorations should serve as a reminder to celebrate this community whilst removing any barriers to having an open discussion about Pride.

5. Show Your Support On Social Media

A final way you could show your support of Pride in the workplace is by sharing it on social media, encouraging your team to get involved in content can open up discussions about the LGBTQ+ community and how your organisation supports them. Content for social media could include videos, graphics, interviews and infographics on how you make your workplace an inclusive environment.

Sharing your commitment to building an inclusive environment will show you as a leader in developing a work culture where everyone feels appreciated. It can also help reduce any worries or potential barriers your team members have about bringing this topic up in the workplace. Use trending hashtags to ensure your content is shown to people beyond your current followers!

At Each Person, our vision is to create a world where every individual feels valued and supported. We aspire to build a future where organisations prioritise the wellbeing of their employees, fostering inclusive and supportive work cultures that inspire innovation, collaboration, and growth.

Our offerings include a comprehensive range of employee benefits, such as an exceptional Employee Assistance Program, a Wellbeing Hub, 24/7 GP services, and much more. If you're interested in taking care of your most valuable assets—your people—get in touch with us today at support@eachperson.com. We'd love to chat!

Sources:

  1. com, May 2024, ‘Pride Month 2024’ https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/pride-month
  2. Health Assured team, May 2023, ‘ How you can celebrate pride month in the workplace’ https://www.healthassured.org/blog/how-you-can-celebrate-pride-month-in-the-w orkplace/
  3. Trades Union Congress, June 2022, ‘1 in 5 workplaces do not have any policies to support LGBT staff – TUC poll’https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/1-5-workplaces-do-not-have-any-policies-support-lgb t-staff-tuc-poll

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