The Investment Association (IA) has today published ‘Bringing our Whole Selves to Work’, the organisation’s first report into the LGBT+ experience in asset management, which sets out twelve key steps organisations can take to create more inclusive workplaces.
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The publication of the report comes a day ahead of the Pride march in London and follows a roundtable discussion the IA hosted with more than 20 IA members and allies from LGBT+ networks. The discussion was chaired by OUTstanding, the membership organisation for global business focusing on LGBT+ issues and discussed the issues facing LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace, suggesting practical solutions to support people coming out and being out at work.
The IA’s report proposes twelve practical steps for employers and employees working in asset management to help showcase the industry as LGBT+ inclusive, including:
- Demonstrating during the recruitment and induction process that the firm is welcoming of LGBT+ employees, for example by using LGBT+ symbols on corporate branding, and highlighting the existence of LGBT+ networks in the workplace.
- Considering intersectionality, so that all aspects of the LGBT+ agenda are valued equally.
- Encouraging heterosexual and cisgender colleagues to participate in LGBT+ networks and events to show LGBT+ colleagues that they have allies in the organisation.
- Ensuring firms with foreign offices are aware of local laws and social attitudes towards LGBT+ people, and considering how to support and protect employees around the globe, especially those who have to work or travel to countries where being LGBT+ is still illegal.
- Alongside the release of the report, the IA has been demonstrating its own commitment to supporting LGBT+ colleagues by changing the organisation’s logo to the rainbow flag on all social media, email signatures and on the website.
Chris Cummings, Chief Executive of the Investment Association, said:
“I am passionate about helping the industry demonstrate to existing employees and potential new recruits that it is an LGBT+ friendly place to work. This report, based on experiences of LGBT+ people across our membership, will debunk certain myths about LGBT+ employees and help organisations ensure they have the right framework in place to ensure they are welcoming places to come out and be out.
“Everyone should feel able to bring their whole selves to work. Whilst legislation over the last decade has rightly given LGBT+ colleagues the rights and protections others can enjoy, culture and preconceptions don’t always follow changes to the law. It’s crucial that we constantly look at how we can be more supportive of LGBT+ colleagues in our industry, and this report sets out some practical steps we can all take today to ensure that everyone feels comfortable being themselves at work.
“From making it clear during recruitment that firms are welcoming to LGBT+ employees, to building a network that includes non-LGBT+ allies, or to ensuring that senior leaders actively demonstrate their support to LGBT+ colleagues, there is plenty that organisations can do to ensure they’re fostering inclusive environments. I will personally be sponsoring this report’s findings at the IA and ensuring that its recommendations are implemented.”
Source: Investment Association
