Gay Pride at work

paw patrol · 24-06-2018 08:55AM #1

I understand why people in the LGBT want or feel the need for Pride and that's cool.

So what's my gripe....

I work in a bank, the bank has reasonable policies on discrimination and respecting others etc....which I agree with.

I go to work and create systems that allows the bank to function.
Why then does the bank need to decorate my office with rainbow flags and posters, spam my inbox with GO PRIDE style pep talk emails, invite us to a range of events during the week and more....?

Why? It's a bank. Is it too much for me to want to go to work , punch the clock and go home with my thinking of social matters being imposed upon?
Why does sexuality get such promotion in a bank , there are many noble campaigns , none get this coverage or close to it.

My workplace isn't alone ...I know it's happening in other companies like insurance companies and American multinationals eg, facebook, google

One such company (i've a friend there) has now a sign-up where you can pledge to be an LGBT ally and receive a special lanyard to wear "with pride" ( You can see what they did there??? ) around the office. The flip side of this is that it has created a culture where those without the lanyard are being asked why not?
Of course it's in an ever so polite and around about way...like "did you see the email on the lanyard" etc...

LGBT and their allies are a small section of society , why must their views be imposed on me at work. Christmas doesn't get such PR in my job.

I'm fairly neutral and happy to live and let live (on most matters) but this constant barrage at work makes me resent LGBT (the campaign rather than the individual people) a little.

I did ask at work and I got weird looks from HR and a bland meaningless reply about equality and diversity etc....
I think I am now guilty of wrong-think and possibly a second charge of using an outdated version of newspeak.:rolleyes: in the eyes of HR.

Strikes me as a corporate **** off in virtue signalling
Yes I did say Virtue Signalling. happy?

Is it wrong of me to want to just go to work in peace. No campaigns , promotions of any kind?

jcorr · 24-06-2018 09:00AM

Just ignore them. It's work.....

kneemos · 24-06-2018 09:01AM

PR nonsense for the public maybe?

Eggs For Dinner · 24-06-2018 09:04AM

I never get involved in any activities related to my work. Fundraisers, Christmas Parties, Wellbeing Days, Farewells, etc. I get on well with my colleagues and enjoy a bit of craic, but this way we all stay on friendly terms

TheValeyard · 24-06-2018 09:05AM

Wonder if all the corporate stuff has taken over Pride tbh.

OP are ye allowed a Christmas crib at work during advent? Or do they celebrate any other festivals or cultural events?

lawred2 · 24-06-2018 09:06AM

Not sure how the decoration affects you in the slightest really...

It's easily ignored

Annasopra · 24-06-2018 09:07AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure how the decoration affects you in the slightest really...

It's easily ignored

You can easily delete an email and decline invites too

kneemos · 24-06-2018 09:09AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure how the decoration affects you in the slightest really...

It's easily ignored

He's asking why they do it.

Gmaximum · 24-06-2018 09:09AM

paw patrol wrote: »

I understand why people in the LGBT want or feel the need for Pride and that's cool.

So what's my gripe....

I work in a bank, the bank has reasonable policies on discrimination and respecting others etc....which I agree with.

I go to work and create systems that allows the bank to function.
Why then does the bank need to decorate my office with rainbow flags and posters, spam my inbox with GO PRIDE style pep talk emails, invite us to a range of events during the week and more....?

Why? It's a bank. Is it too much for me to want to go to work , punch the clock and go home with my thinking of social matters being imposed upon?
Why does sexuality get such promotion in a bank , there are many noble campaigns , none get this coverage or close to it.

My workplace isn't alone ...I know it's happening in other companies like insurance companies and American multinationals eg, facebook, google

One such company (i've a friend there) has now a sign-up where you can pledge to be an LGBT ally and receive a special lanyard to wear "with pride" ( You can see what they did there??? ) around the office. The flip side of this is that it has created a culture where those without the lanyard are being asked why not?
Of course it's in an ever so polite and around about way...like "did you see the email on the lanyard" etc...

LGBT and their allies are a small section of society , why must their views be imposed on me at work. Christmas doesn't get such PR in my job.

I'm fairly neutral and happy to live and let live (on most matters) but this constant barrage at work makes me resent LGBT (the campaign rather than the individual people) a little.

I did ask at work and I got weird looks from HR and a bland meaningless reply about equality and diversity etc....
I think I am now guilty of wrong-think and possibly a second charge of using an outdated version of newspeak.:rolleyes: in the eyes of HR.

Strikes me as a corporate **** off in virtue signalling
Yes I did say Virtue Signalling. happy?

Is it wrong of me to want to just go to work in peace. No campaigns , promotions of any kind?

I’ve worked in a a number of corporates and SMEs for 20 years all in the technology industry in Ireland. At no point was anyone discriminated for being LGBT.

I have found it strange that particularly since the marriage referendum a lot of companies are engaging with Pride all of a sudden. Perhaps we’ve just reached a point where millennials as a whole need it to be clear that everyone is accepted

In the US there’s a lot of vitriol around Memorial Day abd Veterans Day, I was the sole Irish based employee for an American company employing 600 globally and was included in company wide emails from people I’d never met thanking vets etc for their service

I’ve no issue with pride being celebrated Inthe workplace but I do think it’s unfair putting people under pressure to participate wear lanyards etc

lawred2 · 24-06-2018 09:10AM

kneemos wrote: »

He's asking why they do it.

Not sure. Inclusiveness maybe. Who cares either way.. there's no harm in it and it can be easily ignored if it bothers you.

Sonics2k · 24-06-2018 09:11AM

Whether or not you've noticed it, or even if you wish to notice it, there is sadly a rather large amount of discrimination aimed at LGBT people.

While all the pep talk may annoy you, it's core focus is aimed at LGBT people to let them know they are accepted. Have a read through various LGBT forums and you'll find a large amount of posts from young men and women who have recently come out, or are planning on coming out, and are genuinely frightened and family/friends reactions.

Yes, the campaign can be annoying and I say that as the child of a lesbian couple. But, I'm 'lucky' in that I can see and understand the actual objective is really more about showing support, rather than any supposed 'malicious agenda'.

kneemos · 24-06-2018 09:11AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure. Inclusiveness maybe. Who cares either way.. there's no harm in it and it can be easily ignored if it bothers you.

Doesn't answer the question.

24-06-2018 09:12AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure how the decoration affects you in the slightest really...

It's easily ignored

Apparently it’s not. It’s in emails being sent to him, it’s all over the office and people are asking why people aren’t wearing the LGBT lanyards. Having to answer that question in work isn’t really fair and ya can’t just ignore it. Could turn people against him just because he doesn’t have the ‘right’ viewpoint or doesn’t wanna get on board any movements while at work. This ignore it or it it doesn’t effect you response is brutal, chap just wants to work.

I’d have no bother with it personally but absolutely see the OP’s point of view and gripe.

lawred2 · 24-06-2018 09:13AM

kneemos wrote: »

Doesn't answer the question.

The only way this question can be answered is by the OP asking those within his company putting up the decorations what their reasoning is...

How is anyone on here supposed to know?

kneemos · 24-06-2018 09:15AM

Whenever companies get involved in social issues it's always for their own cynical self interests.

24-06-2018 09:15AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

You can easily delete an email and decline invites too

And when someone asks why you didn’t respond to an email, declined an invite or didn’t wear a rainbow lanyard? His point is he shouldn’t have to have those conversations at work. He’s there to work, not promote a cause or show solidarity or anything else.

24-06-2018 09:15AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure how the decoration affects you in the slightest really...

It's easily ignored

I must put up a cross in the office so.

Sonics2k · 24-06-2018 09:15AM

Omackeral wrote: »

Apparently it’s not. It’s in emails being sent to him, it’s all over the office and people are asking why people aren’t wearing the LGBT lanyards. Having to answer that question in work isn’t really fair and ya can’t just ignore it. Could turn people against him just because he doesn’t have the ‘right’ viewpoint or doesn’t wanna get on board any movements while at work. This ignore it or it it doesn’t effect you response is brutal, chap just wants to work.

I’d have no bother with it personally but absolutely see the OP’s point of view and gripe.

Of course you can ignore it.

My office has a massive World Cup thing going on at the moment, constant emails, the match being projected up on a wall and all that. All kicked off when the World Cup did.

I only noticed yesterday.

24-06-2018 09:17AM

lawred2 wrote: »

Not sure. Inclusiveness maybe. Who cares either way.. there's no harm in it and it can be easily ignored if it bothers you.

The OP cares.

What would the reaction be if say the company was pushing a YES vote for the 8th and you happened to disagree with it? You’d be commented on I’d say at the least.

Annasopra · 24-06-2018 09:17AM

Omackeral wrote: »

And when someone asks why you didn’t respond to an email, declined an invite or didn’t wear a rainbow lanyard? His point is he shouldn’t have to have those conversations at work. He’s there to work, not promote a cause or show solidarity or anything else.

He's too busy in work or at home. This is silly. He is not being forced to attend any events. Ignore it all. No big deal.

lawred2 · 24-06-2018 09:18AM

Omackeral wrote: »

Apparently it’s not. It’s in emails being sent to him, it’s all over the office and people are asking why people aren’t wearing the LGBT lanyards. Having to answer that question in work isn’t really fair and ya can’t just ignore it. Could turn people against him just because he doesn’t have the ‘right’ viewpoint or doesn’t wanna get on board any movements while at work. This ignore it or it it doesn’t effect you response is brutal, chap just wants to work.

I’d have no bother with it personally but absolutely see the OP’s point of view and gripe.

As it goes I didn't read as far as the friend's anecdote but I wouldn't agree with wearing such symbols in work. Nor a campaign to brow beat anyone into doing so.

24-06-2018 09:20AM

Sonics2k wrote: »

Of course you can ignore it.

My office has a massive World Cup thing going on at the moment, constant emails, the match being projected up on a wall and all that. All kicked off when the World Cup did.

I only noticed yesterday.

Were you off work or do you just not pay attention to your emails nor surroundings?

24-06-2018 09:21AM

Sonics2k wrote: »

Of course you can ignore it.

My office has a massive World Cup thing going on at the moment, constant emails, the match being projected up on a wall and all that. All kicked off when the World Cup did.

I only noticed yesterday.

John, why are you not wearing a World Cup lanyard?

I don’t give a sh*t about football.

John, why are you not wearing an LGBT lanyard?

I don’t give a sh*t about gay people.

lawred2 · 24-06-2018 09:22AM

Omackeral wrote: »

The OP cares.

What would the reaction be if say the company was pushing a YES vote for the 8th and you happened to disagree with it? You’d be commented on I’d say at the least.

What are they 'pushing' for here?

Sonics2k · 24-06-2018 09:23AM

Omackeral wrote: »

John, why are you not wearing a World Cup lanyard?

I don’t give a sh*t about football.

John, why are you not wearing an LGBT lanyard?

I don’t give a sh*t about gay people.

Actually, funny story. We do have some people wearing the Pride Lanyards around work.

I'm wearing a Slytherin one I got from my daughter for Christmas. Not a single person has commented on it because nobody gives a toss.

This whole thing is starting to read more and more like a persecution complex.

Deleted User wrote: »

Were you off work or do you just not pay attention to your emails nor surroundings?

I read the emails important to my job. If it says "Social event" or some gibberish I skip it.

24-06-2018 09:24AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

He's too busy in work or at home. This is silly. He is not being forced to attend any events. Ignore it all. No big deal.

How can you ignore people that would inevitably ask you if you were the only one not getting on board? You work with them. Can’t ignore them if they ask ya. As I said, it wouldn’t bother me at all but I see his point.

kneemos · 24-06-2018 09:25AM

Reminds me of those telethons we used to have.
The company would get the publicity off the back of their workers.

Sonics2k · 24-06-2018 09:25AM

Omackeral wrote: »

How can you ignore people that would inevitably ask you if you were the only one not getting on board? You work with them. Can’t ignore them if they ask ya. As I said, it wouldn’t bother me at all but I see his point.

"Hey, are you going to this thing?"

"Nah, can't be arsed, going to stay in and chill at home with the family"

"Ah fair enough, enjoy"

Oh my, the trauma of conflict.

Blaas4life · 24-06-2018 09:28AM

What's a lanyard?

24-06-2018 09:29AM

Sonics2k wrote: »

"Hey, are you going to this thing?"

"Nah, can't be arsed, going to stay in and chill at home with the family"

"Ah fair enough, enjoy"

Oh my, the trauma of conflict.

Ah look, I’m not going any deeper on this because I’d probably wear one myself. I voted Yes and absolutely support LGBT rights. My point is work and social issues probably shouldn’t cross over. If you found yourself in the minority of not supporting a cause or movement, it could lead to office talk about you and all when it probably shouldn’t even be up for discussion at all.

24-06-2018 09:30AM

Blaas4life wrote: »

What's a lanyard?

It’s something **** wear on Baggot Street after work to let ya know they work somewhere high net.

Gay Pride at work

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