Why Mitie’s LGBT network is having a profound effect on employees’ lives
The problem
Although facilities management company Mitie had three diversity networks in place by early 2015, the organisation lacked a platform for LGBT inclusion. “We wanted to find out if our LGBT staff felt as included and as respected in the workplace as the rest of the workforce,” says Shaun Mooney, digital communications manager at Mitie and co-founder of its ‘Proud to be’ network.
Employee surveys had revealed that, while the majority of heterosexual respondents didn’t think being gay at work was an issue any more, many who identified as LGBT felt they were still treated differently – often unconsciously so – because of their sexuality.
The solution
Mooney partnered with HR adviser Elisha Hocking to lead a steering group of LGBT employees and straight allies, which led to the launch of ‘Proud to be’ in April 2015. The network quickly established a presence on Mitie’s social media networks – including Facebook, Twitter and Yammer – and set up an email inbox to enable employees to get in touch with their queries. A staff assistance programme and whistleblowing service for more serious issues experienced by Mitie’s LGBT employees were also put in place.
“There’s a real strength in having HR people on the ‘Proud to be’ committee, because they have such a great understanding of how complex diversity and inclusion issues can be,” says Mooney.
‘Proud to be’ also organised a range of live events, hosting activities in London and Manchester for Mitie’s second annual diversity week, as well as giving talks on how managers can better support LGBT people at work. Hocking put her HR expertise into practice and developed tailored workshops for managers who are handling issues such as transphobia.
The outcome
“You find that when people are more comfortable with themselves in the workplace, they are so much more engaged,” says Mooney. “We are creating a culture where everyone feels they can bring all of their personality and all of their culture to work.”
A year after its launch, ‘Proud to be’ has ambitious plans for growth. It’s aiming to hold a diversity event each quarter in cities across the UK, and has recently announced a partnership with national LGBT charity Stonewall, which will help Mitie facilitate a 2016 action plan. The company will also benchmark itself against a set of inclusion values and promote best-practice LGBT inclusion throughout the organisation, with the goal of securing a place on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index by 2017.
Mooney continues to be surprised by the profound impact the network has had on LGBT employees. “After our Manchester event, a man came to me and said: ‘I’m gay. I don’t tell many people at work because I don’t feel I can. Mitie is a place where, for the first time, I feel that I’m going to be taken seriously and treated seriously.’ I had no idea the network would be so powerful.”