Leading pub group Greene King has launched a new Gender Identity Policy, as a show of its long term commitment to inclusion and diversity.
As part of its support of LGBTQ+ team members, the policy will support those who are transitioning or who identify as a different identity to which they were born.
Greene King line managers will receive guidance on how they can support their staff before, during and after they transition. The policy also demonstrates to fellow team members how they can become allies to support those in the LGBTQ+ community, such as including pronouns on their email addresses and signatures.
This is the latest initiative that Greene King’s LGBTQ+ employee-led inclusion group, The Village Greene, has supported the company with. It plays an integral role in the development of the new policy, with the company consulting with the group throughout its creation.
This follows research conducted by the pub group, which revealed that in a survey of 2000 adults, less than a third of Brits (28%) feel that their workplace adequately supports the LGBTQ+ community. In a list of ways that employers can support the community, having a dedicated gender identity policy (25%) was voted second, closely following the use of pronouns (30%).
Andrew Bush, Greene King’s chief people and transformation officer, said: “We want our team members to feel welcome and comfortable to be their true authentic selves at work, and valued for their contribution regardless of their gender identity.”
He added that consulting with members of The Village Greene had been “invaluable” in gaining insight on what the policy should include.
Alice Bowerman, co-chairperson of The Village Greene said, “This new policy and the support guide for managers will help provide team members with the reassurance that Greene King is there to support them no matter what their gender identity is.
“The Village Greene will continue to ensure inclusivity is at the heart of all we do, and help educate, advocate and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and team members” she added.
