June 28, 2023
In an article from HRMorning, a human resources trade publication, Spectrum Center's Angie Freeman offered advice to writer Alison Roller on how HR professionals—and anyone—can contribute to a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA2S+ people.
“Your actions must go beyond the ‘checklist’ approach and only doing the minimum and what is easy,” Freeman said. And they've got suggestions. For example, speaking up for LGBTQIA2S+ colleagues, even if they're not in the room. “Bystander intervention is effective when the person being harmed is present, and arguably, even more effective when the person being harmed is not present," they added.
And sometimes mistakes happen. "…[Mistakes are] where growth happens and where social justice extends beyond the simple thought of everyone valuing each other’s identities," Freeman said. How those situations are handled, once they've happened, is an area for attention. “One pitfall to avoid is defending your choice of words after someone has provided you with feedback on considering using other words instead. It’s about respecting the person in front of you and those around you regardless of if you agree or disagree.”
Read the full article, "Pronouns at work: HR’s guide to getting it right – and what to do when you get it wrong," on HRMorning.