Why Should Diversity and Inclusion Matter in the Workplace? 

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• Why Should Diversity and Inclusion Matter in the Workplace? 

25 June 2020 | Updated 24 February 2021

Many individuals have been working hard to keep diversity and inclusion firmly on employers’ agendas, both throughout the pandemic, and beyond.

When it comes to the facilities and workplace management sector, the LGBT+ in FM network is a group that’s available to any size of organisation with an interest in the facilities management industry and promoting a more inclusive and diverse workforce for the LGBT+ community.

The group functions as an open and supportive network, with those involved already having their own LGBT+ networks, in the process of forming them, or are from businesses too small to have their own.

ThisWeekinFM spoke to some of the group members to understand more about why prioritising fairness, inclusion and respect is so important in the workplace. 

 

Facilities Teams Well-Placed to Speak Up for Diversity and Inclusion

 

Colin Kimber, Associate Director at Pareto FM and part of the LGBT+ in FM leadership committee, told us that facilities management as an industry is well-placed to promote such important issues:

“FM teams have got relationships throughout organisations at all levels, so the potential to make their influence felt is quite immense.”

Kimber also agreed that by speaking up about diversity and inclusion matters in a workplace setting, employers enable their employees to feel more loyal, supported and committed to that business.

Hear more from Colin Kimber and his thoughts on diversity and inclusion within FM and workplace management in the video below

 

 

 

 

Individuals Want to Work for Progressive Organisations

 

“Leadership within any organisation is driven from the top down, this is no different when creating an inclusive environment. It is important that senior leaders are visible and champion the work you do within this space to drive the culture change needed.”

–Nia Bezuidenhout

Deployment Manager, Sodexo

 

Nia Bezuidenhout, Deployment Manager at Sodexo and the company’s Pride UK&I Network Co-chair agreed that it’s imperative that organisations have a strong diversity and inclusion vision, and must make that vision visible:

”Over 60 per cent of millennials now actively seek to work for organisations who are more LGBT+ inclusive because they feel that these organisations are far more progressive than those who are not active in this area.”

Bezuidenhout also stressed the importance of visible role models and having diversity champions in senior leadership teams:

“It’s important to have visible role models who can and are willing to share personal stories and raise awareness of issues that others may not have sight of.

“Visible allies are also important to driving an inclusive environment, an ally can make a huge difference to the lives of LGBT+ people.”

 

Stonewall’s Diversity Champion’s Programme

 

In order to help facilitate the goal of all LGBT+ staff being accepted without exception in every workplace, Stonewall run a Diversity Champion’s Programme to help employers.

The scheme works with over 850 organisations, creating inclusive and accepting environments for almost a quarter of the UK workforce.

As Stonewall states: “The best employers understand the need to take inclusivity seriously. They understand that staff should be able to bring their whole self to work. They understand inclusion drives better individual, business and organisational outcomes.”

To get learn more about the programme and to sign up, visit the website here.

Picture: A photograph from a LGBT+ in FM network meet

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 25 June 2020

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