LGBTQ+ in the Workplace

Introduction

With the UK’s most diverse workplaces outperforming others, it is becoming obvious that a culture of acceptance and inclusivity can profit your organisation. As such, employers need to re-examine their diversity and inclusion policies and ensure they are up to speed with the Equality Act 2010. It is also essential that employers understand their specific obligations towards LGBTQ+ employees.

LGBTQ+ in the Workplace Course Overview 

The course runs for approximately 6.5 hours and can be adapted for a briefing or half-day session. 

This training programme explains how you can design and embed an advantageous new ethos to support change, and examines essential policies to counter discrimination.

Learning objectives

By the end of the training you will:

• Be aware of the cost of discriminatory practices on the UK economy
• Be aware of the impact of issues such as isolation and underrepresentation
• Understand which terminology could be construed as offensive

The programme content can be adapted to meet your specific organisational challenges and training needs.

Why LGBTQ+ inclusion matters to your business - diversity is a business imperative, not a choice; the effects of discriminatory practices on the UK economy; how the UK’s most diverse workplaces consistently outperform others; promoting a culture of acceptance, support and inclusivity can profit your company; diverse environments help employees maximise their potential; challenging bias in recruitment and promotion.

What are your specific obligations and duties towards LGBTQ+ employees – Protecting the rights, dignity, and opportunities of LGBTQ+ in your employment. Legal versus gender-based issues: is it bullying or harassment? Are you up to speed with The Equality Act 2010 and ‘protected characteristics’?

Displaying your commitment to LGBTQ+ workers - creating a formal policy to reduce LGBTQ+ discrimination; outlining your expected behaviours organisation-wide; responding swiftly and appropriately to instances of discrimination; communicating your organisation’s support of the community. Policies and legislation versus practical realities.

Affecting change through company culture – Get the buy-in of and provide support to managers at all levels; understanding sexual harassment and workplace safety; office banter or microaggression?; what terminology could be construed as biased or offensive – it’s not just about pronouns; strategies for providing cultural and educational support; tackling LGBTQ+ employee isolation and underrepresentation; how to retain LGBTQ+ employees long-term; supporting transgender and non-binary colleagues; the specific barriers faced by transgender employees.

All in-house training with BFI includes:

Pre-course team SWOT analysis; pre-course attendee engagement to ensure objectives and issues are addressed; trainer matched to your specific challenges; interactive and engaging course design to maximise learning outcomes; full course notes and supporting documentation; post-course analysis of team strengths and weaknesses; post-training three-month review and clinic

Make an in-house training enquiry

Click here to fill in our enquiry form or to have a confidential discussion about your requirements, please contact Catherine Ouston our Head of In-house Training on 01983 861133 or email Teamtraining@bfi.co.uk