'Long-term measures' | Businesses must embrace individuality this Pride Month and beyond

Many businesses have recognised the need to foster a work culture that champions diversity and inclusion.

Some businesses have gone even further, taking positive steps forward to really embrace the individuality of their people, such as Virgin Atlantic.

In a widely publicised move, last year Virgin Airlines updated their gender identity and trans inclusion policies, removed the requirement for employees to wear gendered uniforms and make-up, and cover up tattoos, introduced mandatory inclusivity training for all staff, updated ticketing systems to allow for gender-neutral titles to be made on bookings, and rolled out optional pronoun badges for staff and anyone travelling with the airline. Other businesses including NatWest, Marks & Spencer, and Greggs followed suit.

Research commissioned by Virgin Airlines found that employees being free to express their true selves at work boosts happiness (65%), increases mental wellbeing (49%), creates a more positive workplace culture (36%) – and provides a better experience for customers (24%).