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. 

Permit Dress Code Flexibility: Allow employees to dress in a manner that aligns with their gender identity, as long as it adheres to company professionalism standards. 

Review Policies and Benefits: Review and update company policies to provide benefits and protections for all employees/families, including health care, family leave, and adoption assistance. 

Embrace Visibility and Celebration: Recognize LGBTQ+ events and milestones, like Pride Month, with celebrations or educational events to raise awareness. 

Establish Feedback Mechanisms: Establish anonymous feedback mechanisms for employees to report concerns or suggestions related to inclusivity. 

Empower Affinity Groups: Encourage and support the formation of LGBTQ+ affinity groups to enable supportive networking while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion. 

Conduct Regular Assessment: Continuously assess the inclusivity of your workplace through surveys and feedback, then take action based on the results.   

Workplace Allies are Critical 

Coming out as LGBTQ+ represents a profound and often challenging experience in an individual's life. Allies are important and are essential in helping establish a secure and supportive environment during this significant moment. Supporting your colleagues goes beyond the initial conversation. It's consistently making an effort to create an inclusive, welcoming environment. Here are tips for workplace allies:   

Listen Emphatically: When a colleague comes out to you, be sure to create a safe space for them to express their feelings and experiences without judgment. The support you provide is pivotal in their journey, and your empathy can make all the difference. 

Respect Privacy & Trust Placed in You: Never reveal a colleague’s LGBTQ+ status to others without their consent. This is a deeply personal process, and it’s important to allow them to determine when and how they share their identity with others.

Confront Discrimination/Microaggressions: Calmly and respectfully address inappropriate behavior or comments aimed at LGBTQ+ colleagues. Advocate for a workplace culture that not only tolerates but actively embraces diversity and inclusivity.

Educate Yourself on LGBTQ+ Topics/Terminologies: Be mindful of and respect gender-neutral language in your interactions to cultivate inclusivity, and conscientiously employ the correct ones. This may seem minor, but language is key and contributes substantially to creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Acknowledge That Each Person's Experience is Unique: Your support can really make a big difference in how they feel and how happy they are at work.    

Addressing The Elephant in the Room

Does one have to come out in their workplace as belonging to a particular community/group, or can your chosen lifestyle still remain private to you?   

Synechron’s inclusivity experts are aligned.

“I don’t believe someone should feel obligated to come out to their workplace. In many respects, this is a private and personal decision that holds different weight for each LGBTQ+ person,” comments Frank Ojeda. “One of the biggest misconceptions with coming out, is that it happens only once. Each time can be an overwhelming experience, especially when some reactions can be unpredictable. I think the better goal is to foster an environment where employees feel naturally compelled to be authentically themselves, however that person chooses to self-express,” he adds. 

“No one should feel obliged to come out at their workplace. I believe it’s a decision that should always remain with the individual. Coming out is not a singular event; it represents a continuous process which doesn’t necessarily become easier with time,” notes Dino Freitas. “There are many reasons why people may choose to keep their personal lives, including their sexual orientation or gender identity, private at work. Reasons range from fearing discrimination to valuing personal boundaries or the belief that their identity holds no relevance to their job. It’s important to honor the choices of those opting to retain their privacy,” he adds. 

In the end, it's crucial to create a welcoming workplace environment where employees feel secure and supported, regardless of their decision to come out or not and are comfortable being authentic.