How to Recognize a Truly Safe and Inclusive Employer

Finding a job can be a long and difficult process, and finding one where you’re sure you’ll feel safe being 100% yourself can make it even harder. So many companies claim to value diversity, but how do you know that they really mean it? It can be hard to determine, but there are a few things you can do to navigate these tricky issues. Below are two clear ways you can determine whether an employer will end up being a safe and rewarding environment to work in, collected from QueerTech’s partners (who we’ve identified as safe spaces for queer employees).

 

Do they have clear company values and recruitment practices?

A good place to start when you want to uncover a company’s true commitment to fostering inclusion and diversity is their website. Companies that value diversity will often convey that messaging in a public forum for the world to see. A good example is the Diversity and Inclusion page on the RBC website. Not only does it feature a statement from the CEO that outlines why the organization is committed to diversity, but it also includes testimonials from employees and statistics to back up the big bank’s claims.

But just making a statement alone isn’t really enough to say a company is safe and inclusive. While these values, outlined on the website, are the foundation and “North Star” for its diverse corporate culture, RBC ensures that it is working hard to live up to its values by employing folks who go out into the community and engage with minority groups at recruitment events. Vlada Hand, RBC’s LGBTQ+ recruitment lead, says these recruiters aren’t just hiring entry level employees and students with diverse backgrounds – the bank wants to ensure queer people are represented in all layers of management as well.

 

Is there ongoing support for employees?

Fostering a culture of diversity is about more than just hiring practices. That’s why it’s important to try to learn about the structures within a company that will support you once you’ve been hired.

Another great example of how a website can be used before you apply for a job is the Accenture website, which not only provides information about the company's commitment to diversity but goes a step further to outline exactly what the company does to support its diverse workforce. This page about the LGBTQ+ community not only reassures readers that the company has inclusive hiring policies, but it also reveals that the company has Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ employees.

An ERG is typically a tight-knit community within an organization where folks from various backgrounds can find coworkers with shared experiences. They provide safe social environments for employees, and ERG leaders often have a direct channel to management to continually educate them about the issues impacting the lives of employees from different backgrounds than their own.

 

We’re here to help

Of course, finding safe and inclusive employment can be a lot of work. It requires a bit of research, and not everyone has the time for that. Luckily, that’s why QueerTech is here for you! We’ve done the research for you, so you can find postings on our Job Board for companies we trust or join us for one of our exciting Qareers job fair events!