Pride podcast: RSK talks LGBTQ+
Published on July 07, 2021To mark the end of Pride month, RSK Human Resources Director Zoe Brunswick was recently joined by Davey Coulter, RSK Regional Business Development Director (Europe), for a special podcast episode for Pride. The recording sees Davey share his story as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, from growing up in Northern Ireland to his experiences in the workplace.
Davey begins by explaining that he was born in 1973 in Northern Ireland, six years after the passing of the 1967 act that decriminalised homosexuality, but only in England and Wales. Attitudes to sexuality in Northern Ireland were still deeply conservative and homophobia in his early life was rife. Davey admits being bullied at school; he assumed that he was the only one having the feelings he was experiencing and had no role models to look up to. โSo the only option I had was to masquerade behind a lie,โ he said.
Although by the beginning of Daveyโs working career attitudes were improving, he still didnโt immediately feel comfortable in talking about his sexuality: โI didnโt feel it necessary to discuss my personal life or bring my personal life into work, but I suppose looking back, to a certain extent that was also a masquerade and I probably didnโt feel comfortable bringing my true self to work. I think nowadays itโs becoming clear that when employees and colleagues can bring their authentic selves to work, they are a lot more productive, theyโre certainly more happy and theyโre a lot more engaged. And research has recently shown that coming out increases job satisfaction and staff retention is a lot better. And again, when coming out, we gain the emotional support from our co-workers, whereas staying in the closet has costs, both for the individual and for the company.โ
However, in a Stonewall survey completed in 2018, nearly a third of LGBTQ+ employees said that they wouldnโt share their sexuality with colleagues for fear of discrimination.
Davey says heโs not surprised by this statistic. โI do believe that the journey of inclusion and diversity is changing for the better. I think weโve made really great steps but I think we still have quite a journey to travel.โ
One way in which employers and colleagues can support their LGBTQ+ co-workers is through open communication, Davey continues. Setting up employee networks, for example, can go a long way towards inclusivity and ensuring individuals donโt feel isolated. โI think that sends a clear message to staff that you are important, and that more importantly, you have a voice and are being heard,โ says Davey. Training programmes and supporting charity events, for example those around LGBTQ+ youth, are further ways we can demonstrate our commitments to a progressive workplace without discrimination.
โAnother thing thatโs probably worth mentioning is what I call model, inclusive language,โ Davey comments. โWhat I mean by that is to learn and use the preferred pronouns for employees. And to use โspouseโ or โpartnerโ rather than the gendered โhusbandโ or โwifeโ, especially if you donโt know the gender of the person. Referring to partner also works for non-married couples so is more inclusive.โ
In addition to HR teams having a large role to play in setting an example through inclusive language, leadership teams are integral to a progressive workplace, Davey and Zoe agree. Educating leaders to ensure that they feel comfortable engaging with their teams in an open and honest way, asking those questions and making sure the team is inclusive.
Asked what advice he would give someone struggling with their feelings relating to sexuality, Davey replies, โDonโt be afraid. Certainly not in the days that weโre living in. Ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Itโs evidence of self-awareness and having the courage and strength to actually say โIโm sort of struggling here, you know, can you help me?โ.โ
Support available
If you need help or advice, please reach out to a friend, family member, colleague or professional source.
Stonewall has help and advice resources covering everything from rights and discrimination to coming out. It is predominantly UK-focused but does have some commentary around international support.
The LGBT Foundation has a helpline providing telephone and email support.
The Mind website has a list of useful contacts and information for LGBTQIA+ and mental health, or you can access text support from the crisis text line Give us a shout.
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
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๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
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#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
#RSKGroup #rskfamily #LGBT #LGBTQ+ #inclusion #diversity #LGBTally #Pride2022
๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
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