SMEs CAN PROVIDE LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEES WITH A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE NETWORK

Larger companies can create confi dential and supportive employee networks that connect LGBTQ+ colleagues and their allies. But what about smaller businesses?

Creative communications agency, Something Big, faced a challenge in providing a network for their LGBTQ+ colleagues, but when they discovered similar issues in other businesses, they got creative and found a solution.

Introducing the newly launched Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network created by Pride in Surrey. The network connects SME employees, while separately assisting employers in fostering workplace inclusivity. It’s free for LGBTQ+ employees to join, offering virtual meetings, safe social events, and wellbeing advice. Organisations who sign up can benefi t from anonymised feedback, shaped by the network, on how to improve inclusivity within their workplaces.

Stephen Ireland, Founder & Director of Pride in Surrey, said, “Building a countywide network for Surrey businesses ensures more voices can be heard. We’re providing a safe environment where employees from different organisations can discuss anything! What one SME might be doing well, another might be challenged by. This kind of information which, when stripped of any personal or business identifi ers, can help create inclusive and diverse workplaces.”

Sally Pritchett, CEO of Something Big, said, “For SMEs making such great progress in diversity and inclusion, being able to create these kinds of safe spaces within a small team was a real stumbling block. Now we can offer a genuinely safe support network to all our employees.”

Learn more about how to join the Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network: https://www.prideinsurrey.org/ employeenetwork