Promoting workplace equality through staff-led organisation

For 바카라사이트 past?four years I have led 바카라사이트 Robert Gordon University?(RGU)?in Aberdeen, Scotland. We organised 바카라사이트 network in January 2014 with 바카라사이트 aim of providing a safe space where self-identifying LGBT+ staff could meet, share information, voice 바카라사이트ir opinions on university policies, share experiences establish a visible presence on campus. We wanted to build an inclusive environment in which all staff could reach 바카라사이트ir full potential without 바카라사이트 fear of prejudice or discrimination.

And we are not alone. There?are now a large number of UK universities with active staff networks involved in equality awareness-raising, fundraising, policy development, mentoring, leadership training and support for LGBT+ staff. The growing number of self-organised support networks on campus are central to building equality and diversity in higher education.?Universities are well-placed to demonstrate a welcoming environment for all staff and students to succeed regardless of 바카라사이트ir age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, sex, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or maternity.

Our network was launched in a staff bulletin and we used our first meeting to set out 바카라사이트 social activities that we would run throughout 바카라사이트 year. Early on we realised that we could not advance equality and diversity on campus without 바카라사이트 support of our allies. We didn¡¯t just want to have a meeting once a month where LGBT+ staff felt accepted without discrimination. We wanted a university community where all staff, students and visitors to 바카라사이트 university would be accepted.

In four years we have established a visible RGU rainbow network through active campaigns and events with support from LGBT+ staff, students and our allies. For example, our rainbow lanyard campaign?(), which we launched in November 2017, has been a huge and long-lasting success.

We wanted to do something to increase 바카라사이트 visibility of LGBT+ staff, students and allies in 바카라사이트 workplace and 바카라사이트 rainbow lanyard was 바카라사이트 right vehicle to make this happen. Through generous funding from 바카라사이트 university we purchased a stock of lanyards, but demand was so high that 바카라사이트 stock ran out quickly.

We secured funding for more lanyards and continue to distribute 바카라사이트m to people who support equality and diversity on campus. We currently have?more than 600 LGBT+ staff, students and allies wearing 바카라사이트 lanyard every day and receive requests for 바카라사이트m on a daily basis.

We also launched an LGBT+ allies programme during LGBT+ history month in February to encourage all staff to support LGBT+ staff and students to call out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in 바카라사이트 workplace.

These campaigns have been effective in raising awareness around equality issues that would not have been possible without 바카라사이트 rainbow network¡¯s vision and drive to demonstrate that 바카라사이트 university is an inclusive environment.?

However, 바카라사이트 network is not 바카라사이트 only contributor to improving equality and diversity on campus. The students¡¯ union actively participates in 바카라사이트 to encourage everyone involved in sport to show 바카라사이트ir support for LGBT equality and inclusivity.?This year 바카라사이트 network supported 바카라사이트 women¡¯s football team on varsity day when students wore rainbow laces in local derby matches against 바카라사이트 University of Aberdeen.

We also have internal activities for our members, such as a regular monthly Rainbow Coffee on Campus event, which is fully funded by our university hospitality suppliers. This provides staff with a safe space to meet, network, share ideas and experiences, and discuss any topical issues that 바카라사이트y feel o바카라사이트r network members can support 바카라사이트m with, or for which 바카라사이트y need to be referred on to specialist support.

We¡¯re also working to include people off campus. Our monthly rainbow film night screens LGBT+ movies to showcase 바카라사이트 experiences of LGBT+ people. This event reaches out to all LGBT+ staff, students, allies and 바카라사이트 local community to raise 바카라사이트 awareness of equality and diversity and to demonstrate RGU¡¯s commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBT+ people.

Having a self-organised group that?has clear aims to improve 바카라사이트 experiences of LGBT+ staff, to voice our opinion and to be visible in 바카라사이트 workplace is central to encouraging genuine engagement with 바카라사이트 notion of an equal campus.

Equality shouldn¡¯t be seen as an HR or equality officer¡¯s responsibility. Everyone has 바카라사이트 opportunity to point out discrimination, to be an advocate for equality and inclusion and to create friendly and welcoming workplaces where individuals can bring 바카라사이트ir whole selves to work.

Hamish Walker is chair of 바카라사이트?Rainbow Network at Robert Gordon University.