Pronouns – why have you added them your LinkedIn profile?
This is a question I have been asked a few times since I added my pronouns to my LinkedIn profile in 2020.
In a nutshell, I have added my pronouns because I see it as a quick and easy way to be an ally to support people who are gender diverse. I recognise that as a cisgender person I have the privilege not to have questioned my gender identity, and by stating my pronouns, I communicate that I know that a person’s identity is very important and can’t be presumed. It’s also – a very easy thing to do!
Inclusive Recruitment
During my career in recruitment the landscape has changed dramatically to embrace inclusive recruitment practices.
Over the last 5 years I have been really pleased to have worked with clients who have actively sought to diversify their talent pool. For most clients this has meant implementing recruitment strategies that embed diversity to create sustainable diverse talent pipelines.
Different companies face different challenges when it comes to diversifying their talent base. However, the payoff for companies who are able to attract diverse talent also reap the rewards of doing so. A study by the Boston Consulting Group showed that companies with a more diverse leadership performed better when it came to innovation, financial performance and ability to adapt. (1)
LGBT History Month
February is LGBT History Month in the UK. At QTG every month is LGBT History Month! It is a time to take the opportunity to celebrate what the LGBTQ+ community has contributed and also to see how and where we can do better. Stonewall have done vast amounts of work to produce material to ensure workplaces can be inclusive places to work (2). In my role as a recruiter I am aware that I will speak to multiple people for the first time, during the course of one day. I want to ensure that everyone I work with feels respected and included.
Including my pronouns is a small step I can take to do so.
I invite you to consider doing the same.
(1) https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation
(2) https://www.stonewall.org.uk/best-practice-toolkits-and-resources