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The government’s LGBT Business Champion, Iain Anderson, is meeting with businesses from the region as part of the LGBT at Work campaign to improve workplace inclusivity.
Anderson met with business leaders from Greater Manchester at an event at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MoSI) held on 18th November, that gave businesses in the city-region the opportunity to learn from the likes of Google, Asos and Auto Trader and discuss how to support people to be themselves at work.
The event at MoSI was the second in a series of LGBT at Work events planned by the LGBT Business Champion, and was also attended by Equalities Minister Mike Freer and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on LGBT Rights, Nick Herbert.
The experience of Greater Manchester businesses such as Auto Trader in ensuring workplace inclusivity will help inform future recommendations for organisations to best support their LGBT employees. Around a quarter (23%) of respondents to the National LGBT Survey 2017, who were in employment, reported that they had experienced a negative or mixed reaction from others in the workplace due to the sexuality or gender identity.
LGBT Business Champion, Iain Anderson, said:
“It’s fantastic to be meeting with all these amazing organisations from across the country as we build our understanding of what works for LGBT employees and their employers.
“The workplace is where the majority of us spend most of our time. I will be looking at where business and Government can work together to support LGBT workers.
“I’m determined that businesses – large and small – which have created inclusive, accepting and empowering workplaces are celebrated and their best practice shared. That is what today’s event is all about.”
Special Envoy on LGBT Rights, Nick Herbert, also looked to business as a means of progressing LGBT rights worldwide. Ahead of the event, he said:
“The Government wants business to play a key role in the UK’s first Global LGBT Conference – Safe to Be Me, which will be taking place in June next year.
“I know that there is a huge appetite from British business to deliver tangible commitments that make real positive change for LGBT people at home and abroad. Today I hope to hear a range of ideas which can contribute towards a successful event next Summer.”