A Fairer Future: An
Introspective Look at Professional Services
Access our latest spotlight series to discover best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the professional services sector.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a hot topic in today’s workforce, where it is important that companies not only focus on their employees’ backgrounds but also on what they can do for the company. DEI begins at the top with leaders who advocate for change, before trickling down through management levels, to create meaningful change at work, particularly for the groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the workforce.
Our spotlight series is focused on four core topics within DEI including gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disability. The series aims to both inspire sensitivity, bring awareness to marginalized communities and provide listeners with tools to help their businesses capitalize on diversity and inclusion for their organization.
Key Takeaways
Host and Speakers
![raca-300x300[1]](https://iresearchservices.com/wp-content/uploads/raca-300x3001-1.png "Rachael Kinsella 1")
Rachael has specialized in professional and financial services editorial, business development, marketing and communications since 2003. An enthusiastic advocate of the power of thought leadership, she thrives on the challenge of forming and delivering creative concepts and content from complex data and themes, bringing unique ideas and perspectives to life. Highlights include leading and crafting thought leadership programs for global superbrands, including the flagship financial regulation series at KPMG International and Corporate Financier magazine at the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty.
![georgina-court-300x250[1]](https://iresearchservices.com/wp-content/uploads/georgina-court-300x2501-1.jpg "Georgina Court 3")
![Clifford-Chance[1]](https://iresearchservices.com/wp-content/uploads/Clifford-Chance1.svg "A Fairer Future: An Introspective Look at Professional Services 7"){kind=small}
Georgina is the Global Inclusion Specialist at Clifford Chance and is responsible for creating, designing, and implementing Diversity and Inclusion initiatives from International Women’s Day to PRIDE month and more. She works alongside the global Director of Inclusion in ensuring that people feel supported and able to bring their whole selves to work as well as thinking about what needs to change structurally.
Spotlight on LGBTQ+
Focus on LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
- What are the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ employees?
- LGBTQ+ issues are less likely to be raised in DEI initiatives – why is this and how can we bring further visibility to the topic?
- How can employers be LGBTQ+ friendly (i.e. gender-neutral toilets, gender-inclusive terms)?
Discrimination in the Workplace
- LGBTQ+ employees often face both verbal/physical hostility in the workplace or have experienced unfair treatment at work. How do we protect them?
- How can we create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ employees to feel comfortable to ‘come out’ at work?
- The importance of inclusive policies and procedures for LGBTQ+ employees (e.g. family leave, same-sex partner benefits, healthcare coverage).
Intersectionality in LGBTQ+
- What are the differences LGBTQ+ POC may face?
- Trans employees face a distinct set of obstacles to performance and career progression – how can we support them?
- LGBTQ+ women are more underrepresented than women – how does isolation factor into the workplace experience?
Pinkwashing
- What is meant by the terms ‘pinkwashing’ and ‘rainbow capitalism’?
- How can we call out performative corporate inclusion that isn’t backed up with active efforts for change?
- How widespread is performative corporate inclusion?
Practical Approaches for the C-Suite
- We discuss solutions to how the leaders of organizations can implement effective DEI strategies based on LGBTQ+.