D&I | How P&G has gone about LGBT+ inclusion

Workplace inclusion is an important part of any organisation.

Ensuring that all employees feel safe and truly able to be themselves is crucial for many reasons. For example, if workers feel a sense of belonging, a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article explained that companies can reap bottom-line benefits. The research, conducted by BetterUp, found that a high feeling of belonging was linked to a 56% increase in job performance, as well as a 50% drop in turnover risk and a 27% reduction in sick days.

Despite the benefits to both individuals and employers, new research from Accenture’s Getting to Equal research revealed that one in four LGBT+ employees in the UK remain completely closeted at work, with a staggering 86% stating that they don’t feel properly supported in the workplace. The survey of more than 28,000 employees and business leaders across 26 countries found that less than half of UK employees (41%) are fully open about their gender identity, expression or sexual orientation at work. Rebecca Tully, Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Accenture in the UK, said: “At a time when we are acutely aware of ongoing social injustices, it has never been more important to hear and understand the experiences of minority groups.”

She added that, although they don’t have all the answers, the research pointed towards the important questions that need to be asked when making the workplace more inclusive of the LGBT+ community. “It’s important for leaders to act now and strive to create a culture where LGBT+ employees not only rise professionally, but also where they feel safe, supported and able to be themselves.”