How to find an inclusive workplace during the job search

When you’re looking for a new role, do you feel like you can fit into any workplace? Or do you spend time checking out a company’s social media, websites and reports to figure out the culture fit?

For members of the LGBTQIA+ community (and other potentially marginalised groups whether that be related to age, gender, cultural background, ability and more), culture is more than a ‘nice to have’. It’s a vital factor in determining whether you can feel comfortable bringing your whole self to work.

So how do you find a company that genuinely cares about diversity and inclusion? Pride Pledge ????? Director Martin King ????? tells LinkedIn “authenticity” is the key word.

“Job seekers spend a lot of time researching organisations. They look at their LinkedIn, social media, websites … it’s not just about looking at the job advert and going ‘I’ll apply’ anymore. Organisations need to be consistently demonstrating their commitment.

"In this context, you want to see the Pride Pledge logo on their website, a section on diversity and inclusion on their website, maybe a newsletter might share something they did around LGBTQIA+ inclusion. It’s not just Mardi Gras, but also Wear it Purple Day, Trans Awareness Week or celebrating someone who has recently transitioned in the workplace.

“Candidates want to see those clear commitments that are very visible and authentic.”

King says the world is changing and people now demand their employer shows authentic support for the causes they care about.

“Young job seekers are really driven and motivated by quite different factors compared to my generation and our parents’ generation so they’re looking for organisations that are committed really clearly to diversity and inclusion, and environment and sustainability, flexibility and wellbeing and can really clearly back that up. It’s no longer ‘nice to have’, it’s table stakes and if a company doesn’t have those things, they think ‘I’ll just go work somewhere else’.”

King shares his thoughts on the key issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community at work along with other leaders in the space.

His advice for job seekers:

• Reach out to people who work at the company and ask about team culture.
• Look out for repeated authentic examples of commitments to diversity and inclusion across the company’s various channels.
• Ask questions during the job interview to make sure you know the company will be welcoming and accommodating.

How important is a company’s culture to you? Do you have a strategy for sussing out an oranisation before applying for a job? Share your thoughts below.

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