Be an ally for equality in your workplace – Celebrating Pride 2021

It’s Pride Month. Businesses, charities and community groups are sporting the rainbow flag in support of inclusion and equality. The world of commercial endorsement for equality is a different place to the one in which many of us grew up. The long shadow of Section 28 and discrimination does not move on easily. Yet despite the progress we have made for LGBT rights in the last two decades, our job is far from done. And that mean’s support for equality needs to last for more than a month each year.

Reports from union representatives shows that in many workplaces LGBT people are not free to be themselves. A TUC survey of LGBT+ workers found that nearly two-in-five respondents had been harassed or discriminated against by a colleague, yet only a third reported the incident to their employer. The incidence of bullying rises to almost half for trans workers.

It often starts with the small talk, such as office banter or ‘jokes’ directed to others at work. Nearly two thirds of LGBT workers could play back examples of that. Despite our progress on equality, it is no wonder that only half of LGBT are out at work. Why does this matter?  According to a Business in the Community report, 79% of LGBT+ people are likely to have experienced poor mental health where work was a cause or a contributing factor.

Being able to bring your whole self to work is important in so many ways, from wellbeing to inclusion. Respect is about how we are treated as individuals and the culture of our workplaces. This is why unions can make a difference. In workplaces across the country, union representatives and volunteers are supporting colleagues and fixing problems at work. And helping to create fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces too. Nowhere has this been more apparent than during the pandemic when unions nationally and locally have been key to protecting jobs during lockdown, negotiating support like furlough, and ensuring workplaces are safe.

Equality is part of what unions do.  I am amazed by the volunteer hours union reps and members give helping colleagues, being part of staff LGBT+ Networks and ensuring Equality Diversity and Inclusion policies work for workers (and are not just rhetoric). And this means setting the agenda on equality, shaping workplace practices, and ensuring robust policies are in place. Every day, union reps are speaking to, organising and challenging employers to be better on equalities whether that is supporting people when things go wrong at work or raising the bar on what equality means at work. At Prospect we have a growing LGBT+ Network sharing ideas across employers and taking part in union-wide campaigns. Our legal team advise branches and members on how to bring legal rights to life at work. And we are challenging ourselves to do better. One of our most popular sessions now is on how to be a good ally at work bringing together union values around solidarity with practical tips on how equality is something we all need to show up for, not just those most affected. We are also learning from across the lived experiences of our members to join up our equalities work, for instance making the connection between racism and homophobia, standing up for trans and non-binary members, and thinking through additional levels of discrimination faced by lesbians and bisexual women at work.

All of this goes to one of the most frustrating things about Pride season this month. I am fed up by the calls that we’ve done enough for equality; that legal rights for some is the same as actual equality for all. The evidence is consistent that inequality and harassment is real for too many LGBT people at work. Pride isn’t just about a celebration; it is a protest, and about recognising we have more to do on equality. No-one left behind. The thing that unites our values as a union and the drive for equality is that we make change happen by working together. That remains a work still in progress.

So, this Pride month, get organised, be an ally for equality in your workplace, join a union. None of us are equal until we all are.