New plans to make the 主播大秀 an even more inclusive workplace for LGBT staff
A review of career progression and culture for LGBT employees at the 主播大秀 - one of five reviews set up to promote inclusion - found that while LGBT staff generally see the 主播大秀 as a good place to work, a number of small changes to working culture could improve their experience.
These recommendations reflect what our staff have said and we will now implement them to give all LGBT staff the chance to flourish
Currently 11 percent of the 主播大秀’s workforce and 12 percent of its leaders identify as LGBT, the highest representation of any UK broadcaster. The review undertook in-depth research on what working at the 主播大秀 feels like for LGBT staff.
Informed by 300 staff and input from Stonewall, the review made ten recommendations. They have already been accepted by the 主播大秀’s Executive Committee and are designed to:
- Educate leaders and staff about what’s important to LGBT
- Increase the prominence of LGBT staff, role models and the 主播大秀 Pride network
- Empower LGBT staff to be comfortable about being open at work
The review’s findings include a perception that younger staff feel freer to share more of their life at work in comparison to older staff and that, while important parts of the 主播大秀’s output such as many of the programmes in last year’s Gay Britannia season, present balanced and supportive debates on LGBT issues, more could be done to make the 主播大秀’s corporate support for the LGBT community clear.
Specific recommendations include building a network of straight allies who actively promote the LGBT community in the 主播大秀 - an initiative which has been successful at several other major employers - organising more internal campaigns supporting the LGBT community and providing guidance for managers supporting transgender staff, particularly when those staff are transitioning.
As well as supporting current LGBT staff to reach their potential, the changes are designed to make sure the 主播大秀 continues to attract the best talent from across the world and remains relevant with younger audiences who, , are far less likely to identify as completely heterosexual.
Project sponsor James Purnell, 主播大秀 Director of Radio & Education, says: ”We’re aiming to create the most open, inclusive culture we can. These recommendations reflect what our staff have said and we will now implement them to give all LGBT staff the chance to flourish."
Co-Chairs of the 主播大秀 Pride Network, Karen Millington and Matt Weaver say: “We think each of the ten recommendations have the potential to make the 主播大秀 a more inclusive workplace, giving everyone the opportunity to do their best work. Although we hope the recommendations will positively impact everyone across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, we are particularly excited about the proposal for providing better support for our transgender colleagues and improving visibility with role models throughout the business.”
This review is one of a number of culture and career progression projects which have also looked at gender, ethnicity, disability and socio-economic diversity. Action to be taken to support women and staff from BAME backgrounds has already been published, with the result of the socio-economic diversity and disability reports due soon. Recommendations from these workstreams overlap and will be brought together in one delivery plan to support the career progression of staff across the 主播大秀.
The 主播大秀’s Equality Information Report for 2017/18 can be found here
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