Inclusive Work Environments Workshop - a guide to gender and diversity for business
Recently we applied for a grant through Business Women Albury Wodonga. Whilst we were not successful in becoming a finalist, we were invited to speak at the Pitch night on Friday 2nd February. Below is my speech. If you are interested in more information or participating in the program we are developing, please sign up to the mailing list below and we will keep you informed about where we are up to with it.
Thank you Business Women Albury Wodonga for having me here tonight.
My story really starts in 2007 when I experienced the loss of my second child, who died at the age of 2 months old from a recessive genetic disorder. The support I received from social workers both locally and in Melbourne inspired me to go back to uni and study social work. After working for three and a half years at Upper Murray Family Care supporting families and children, I founded Phoenix Wings Wellness and stepped into private practice, focussing on work with creative strategies for children and young people to manage their mental health and process their trauma. I had discovered the power of creativity in the healing process, and in 2017 I returned to study my Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice at MIECAT in Melbourne. My son, Jules, who is here with us tonight, came out as transgender in 2018, and this experience in particular has ignited my passion for helping my young people I work with, as more and more end up in my office needing support due to discrimination and a lack of understanding of what they are going through from their family and friends.
As of today, Phoenix Wings Wellness’ team of 12 provides one-on-one psychotherapy services; workshops and trainings; support work; and groups in Albury, Chiltern, Wahgunyah, Corowa, and Wagga, with plans to expand to other rural areas to ensure access to services.
My project proposal is for the development and delivery of the ‘Inclusive Work Environments Workshop - a guide to gender and diversity for business” program.
This involves the coaching, training, and support to develop a 2-hour training workshop for local businesses and organisations to enhance their own knowledge and support of queer people in our community. By the end of the workshop, participants will:
Have a greater understanding about terms and language used by the queer community and be able to use when with increased confidence;
Understand the spectrum of diversity of sexuality and gender;
Have learned about different pronouns, and how and why we use people’s chosen pronouns;
And know how to meet the needs of their queer clientele, employees, and community in a more inclusive and appropriate way.
Many of the queer young people that I work with feel like there is a lack of safe places for them to go and be themselves in the local area without being judged, and we believe that through education, and the creation of new resources, there will be a greater sense of acceptance, safety, and community for all people.
The key reasons why such training is crucial for businesses in Albury/Wodonga and how it can contribute to a more harmonious and productive workplace include:
1. The Importance of Inclusivity and Safety:
Creating an inclusive and safe workplace is not just about compliance; it is about fostering an environment where every employee and client feels valued, respected, and able to contribute their best. Businesses that prioritise inclusivity often experience higher levels of employee engagement, creativity, and overall satisfaction.
2. Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation:
With an increasing awareness of diversity and inclusion, legal frameworks are evolving to protect the rights of individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. By providing training on working with queer people, businesses can ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws, and can save businesses time, resources, and potential reputation damage.
3. Community Engagement and Reputation Building:
The success of businesses in Albury/Wodonga is closely tied to their relationship with the local community. Developing a reputation as an inclusive and welcoming employer not only attracts diverse talent but also enhances the organisation's standing within the community.
4. Customisation for Local Context:
A locally developed training program ensures that the content is tailored to the specific needs and nuances of the Albury/Wodonga community. Accessing trainers from city-based organisations is expensive due to the need to pay for travel and accommodation, and often the cultural context around living rurally does not match.
5. Practical Skill Development:
The proposed training will focus on practical skills that empower employees and managers to create an inclusive workplace. Topics may include communication strategies, understanding diverse perspectives, fostering allyship, and addressing unconscious bias, in order to bridge the gap between awareness and actionable steps, enabling businesses to implement inclusive practices in their day-to-day operations.
In conclusion, the development and implementation of a locally tailored training program on working with queer individuals is a valuable investment for businesses in Albury/Wodonga. This initiative aligns with the global movement towards diversity and inclusion while addressing the specific needs and challenges of the local community. By fostering inclusivity, businesses not only comply with legal requirements but also contribute to a more vibrant, supportive, and economically successful community. We invite you to speak to Jules or myself afterwards for more information on how you can be a part of our research and project development, or if you would like to sign up for the training.
We’ve also located new research that has just been released from the Murrumbidgee region, a health needs assessment, which backs the needs for this project to be completed. Please read it here.
Thank you from Jules and I