Don’t close your eyes and be an example!

As an employer, you are the authority. Therefore, you should let everybody know: Discrimination at the workplace is not tolerated. State your position on questions of social justice and declare it. Put it into the internal documents of the company (internal rules, customer service policies, etc.). Try to put it into practice!

Don’t be silent in front of hate!

Never be silent if you notice discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Encourage other employees to report unsuitable behaviors, offensive comments, hate speech or harmful jokes. Hate and unrespect cannot be a part of your organizational culture in any way. This applies not only to working hours, but also to breaks and informal meetings. Always react to incidents and take action, or the situation will get worse.

Change the way of thinking!

Look at the rules for selecting candidates for work. When creating a job announcement, be sure that everybody is invited to apply, without feeling discriminated because of their their gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, religion, disability. Look through the documents of the company and check if they use neutral and non-offensive language. This will communicate a clear message to the public: your company is open-minded and tolerant.

Create new standards!

Do you value a good atmosphere at your workplace? Do you organize company parties, celebrate Easter or Christmas together? Have you ever thought about celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on May 17, the International Tolerance Day on November 16, or the International Human Rights Day on December 10? This will be a good motivational tool for all those employees who support equality and human rights.

Think about the details!

There are companies where working clothes are the same for everybody. How is it in your company? Give an opportunity to select working clothes. This may be an actual problem not only for transgender persons, and a freedom of choice would ensure the implementation of equality policies in your company. Think about the name badges and other attributes that may disturb your employees. Organize internal training/discussion on the topic of tolerance.

Don’t forget your customers!

Customers form an opinion on the company not only from a signboard, a logo or a nice interior design. Have you ever though how many different people there are among your current and potential clients?

Offensive or discriminatory behavior of the employees or its reflections in the press or internet will not encourage to choose your company and will definitely help the framing of a conservative image for your company. On the opposite, open-minded and friendly policies can encourage clients to choose your company.

Create socially responsible policies!

The social responsibility of a company is the combination of an ideology, a policy and a practice that voluntarily include questions of social justice and ecology among the company’s priorities and treats individuals, society and nature in a respectful way. This type of policy frames the company as progressive, which attracts not only potential clients, but also specialists.

Give yourself an opportunity to learn more, to be a better friend and a more sensitive person!

Find more tips here.

“Our teacher is a very narrow-minded and intolerant person. During her lessons she creates an environment not suitable for discussions, because only the ones who agree with the teacher can express their opinion.

In this environment everybody who is not straight feels discriminated and excluded, because, according to the teacher, homosexuals  should be closed in jails or cured“.