Gay Pride at work

HappyAsLarE · 24-06-2018 01:28PM

It is virtue signalling.

24-06-2018 01:43PM

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

It is virtue signalling.

And the social media generation laps it up

leggo · 24-06-2018 02:24PM

professore wrote: »

I agree with your general point. If you get all your news from Facebook and twitter then it's insane how biased it is. Also when trying to fact check something on Google is getting well nigh impossible as you get two totally conflicting accounts of the same events.

However if you look at any mainstream media outlet it IS full of all this stuff. And people ranting about how trump is the devil incarnate - he's a ****ty human being for sure, but the level of hysteria against him is ridiculous. Even innocuous things that wouldnt have been even noticed if Obama said them are blown out of all proportion.

Actually that's why I like boards - it isn't an echo chamber.

Is it though? Or is it more like you hear presenters of football shows talk about how fans of every club complain that commentators and analysts are biased against their own clubs? Like look at repeal for example: I don’t think anyone, whatever side you were on, expected that result. I think most people’s perception was that it was going to be 50-50 either way, and that perception was set - credit where it’s due - by the mainstream media doing its job and airing an equal amount of both sides’ views (even it enraged people on both sides in doing so).

Personally I think, if we’re really breaking it down, it’s more like everyone these days is addicted to likes or thanks or whatever form of praise it is on whatever medium because that’s almost become a form of social currency now. We know we can make much more empassioned compelling points about things we disagree with (and get those precious thumbs up, or trolling, reactions, whatever anyone’s individual kink is) so we seek out arguments over stuff we disagree with and, thus, expose ourselves to it more and wind ourselves up to oblivion.

I’m just as guilty btw, even if I can point it out. Like you perceive boards as not an echo chamber of the current popular opinions, my own current personal perception of boards is that it’s just an echo chamber for gender arguments now and anti-whatever everyone on Twitter likes. And I’m sure that’s not the case, it’s just what I choose to click into subconsciously, so that perception is my own fault. I’m sure I’d have a different view if I spent all my time here floating around the darts or gardening forums.

24-06-2018 02:28PM

The people who go out of their way with all this nonsense often* stopped being discriminatory later than everyone else, or in the case of an old friend of mine, are forcing themselves to be open and understanding when after a few beers, you find out that really they aren't.

When it becomes more normal for these people, the lanyards won't be worn and they won't feel the need to congratulate gay people on being gay. They'll be like the rest of us are now.

*I do mean often, not always. Some people just love the whole thing.

Malayalam · 24-06-2018 02:28PM

Follow the Money.

''Target Audiences''...
The Grey Pound = older people
The Pink Pound = LGBT+ people
The Green Pound = Eco-conscious people
The Blue/Purple Pound = Differently-abled people
The Red Pound = Plus-sized aka Curvy people
The Brown Pound = Ethnic minority people.

The answer is usually money.

spurious · 24-06-2018 02:32PM

Malayalam wrote: »

Follow the Money.

''Target Audiences''...
The Grey Pound = older people
The Pink Pound = LGBT+ people
The Green Pound = Eco-conscious people
The Blue/Purple Pound = Differently-abled people
The Red Pound = Plus-sized aka Curvy people
The Brown Pound = Ethnic minority people.

The answer is usually money.

Exactly, if the bank are appearing to 'include' a group of people, it's because they think there is money to be made.
All those gayers getting married now and wanting mortgages.

andekwarhola · 24-06-2018 02:40PM

They're doing the same drive in our workplace, which is fine by me. Definitely haven't noticed anybody being questioned about lanyards. I don't have one and nobody has said a word to me.

Would this 'culture' of being 'harrased' for non compliance be the same type of largely illusory one as the 'PC' culture

SterlingArcher · 24-06-2018 02:48PM

TG1 wrote: »

I work in HR. In a previous role a member of the workforce approached us about celebrating pride in the office. There was a small budget given and the employee in question organised a few decorations. All very low key, but a nice way to celebrate diversity in the company.

Another member of the workforce complained, and the CEO stepped in and refused to allow the decorations. I had to be the one to explain to the employee who had approached us that actually a colleague had gone out of their way to object to it, and as a result we couldn't celebrate our diverse workforce.

Don't be that person who complains, it's a week of decorations and lanyards, not torture...

Forget the gay people staring down society, just wanting to be treated exactly like everyone else ...by having a huge parade thrown for them with balloons, banners, buttons, flags the works....

You're the real brave one. Coming out. Admitting you are in HR.

24-06-2018 02:52PM

Malayalam wrote: »

Follow the Money.

''Target Audiences''...
The Grey Pound = older people
The Pink Pound = LGBT+ people
The Green Pound = Eco-conscious people
The Blue/Purple Pound = Differently-abled people
The Red Pound = Plus-sized aka Curvy people
The Brown Pound = Ethnic minority people.

The answer is usually money.

While there is some truth in this thinking, on this occasion, the initiatives in question are all internal matters and will never be visible to customers.

bloodless_coup · 24-06-2018 02:59PM

TG1 wrote: »

I work in HR. In a previous role a member of the workforce approached us about celebrating pride in the office. There was a small budget given and the employee in question organised a few decorations. All very low key, but a nice way to celebrate diversity in the company.

Another member of the workforce complained, and the CEO stepped in and refused to allow the decorations. I had to be the one to explain to the employee who had approached us that actually a colleague had gone out of their way to object to it, and as a result we couldn't celebrate our diverse workforce.

Don't be that person who complains, it's a week of decorations and lanyards, not torture...

"colleague had gone out of their way to object to it"

Why is the person who when looking for money and organised decorations not seen as "going out of thier way"?

bloodless_coup · 24-06-2018 03:03PM

xzanti wrote: »

Must be horrible when December rolls around, little trees with crappy looking baubles and tinsel all over them. How can anyone work in that environment.

:pac:

Christmas is banned where I work. Must use the term "Holidays" and all imagery of winter snow or Christmas decorations are not allowed in inter company communications.

Cabaal · 24-06-2018 03:08PM

kneemos wrote: »

He's asking why they do it.

Because they can, they are a company and they can do this stuff if they want. Its not illegal is it?

LLMMLL · 24-06-2018 03:09PM

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Can't remember the last time I heard a black person being openly called a n****r. Doesnt mean racism doesnt exist.......

Exactly.

Plus I worked in branch banking in late 90s and a banking call centre in the early 2000s.

Homophobia was rife. I was too young to say anything in the branch banking (one very popular staff member was the most racist homophobic person in existence. The forst and last time I’ve ever heard the slur “apaches”) but in the call centre I’d had enough and publically shamed a few people for their lovely conversations about “queers”.

There was no open discrimination in terms of not being promoted but then there were 0 openly gay people in this call centre with a few hundred employees. One extremely camp guy and even he was saying he was straight.

Some people are incredibly oblivious to discrimination.

Cabaal · 24-06-2018 03:10PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

While there is some truth in this thinking, on this occasion, the initiatives in question are all internal matters and will never be visible to customers.

ok so, it creates an inclusive and welcoming work place.
its really that simple, nobody should feel like they are hated in work and feck knows gay people along with others got alot of hate for a long time.

No company with sense wants to be seen as a unwelcoming place to people

Plenty of homophobia exists in plenty of company's even right now, I've seen it time and time again and alot of the comments are made without thinking, but they are still completely inappropriate and homophobic

LLMMLL · 24-06-2018 03:12PM

When I worked in a big office previously some people would come around collecting for charity (basically a holiday abroad for themselves) and I wouldn’t contribute. Some people thought I was a c**t for this.

That’s all that’s happening to you. Nobody’s forcing you to do anything. You’re choosing not to partake in something and some people will think you’re a c**t as a result.

Happens in every workplace around a variety of issues and has feck all to do with gay people or gay rights.

TG1 · 24-06-2018 03:15PM

doylefe wrote: »

"colleague had gone out of their way to object to it"

Why is the person who when looking for money and organised decorations not seen as "going out of thier way"?

For the same reason someone looking to decorate for Christmas isn't, or someone setting up a World Cup pool isn't, or someone trying to set up drinks after work isn't. There's a difference between trying to promote a bit of good feeling, team spirit, and generally engaging with colleagues in work, and actively trying to destroy an attempt.
No one has to join in any of these things, and I actually tend not to myself for any number of reasons, but someone campaigning to get them stopped is going out of their way to do so.
Just my 2 cents on the matter but in my view a live and let live attitude in work goes a long way towards making everyone's life easier!

24-06-2018 03:20PM

Cabaal wrote: »

ok so, it creates an inclusive and welcoming work place.
its really that simple, nobody should feel like they are hated in work and feck knows gay people along with others got alot of hate for a long time.

No company with sense wants to be seen as a unwelcoming place to people

Plenty of homophobia exists in plenty of company's even right now, I've seen it time and time again and alot of the comments are made without thinking, but they are still completely inappropriate and homophobic

Absolutely. If you like, you could say this is really down to money itself. The reason the company wants to be inclusive and welcoming is to have access to the widest pool of employees in a tight labour market - which is a money saver in itself, reducing turnover rates and acquisition costs.

I suppose it possible does exclude some people, possibly including the OP, but I guess that HR have worked out that it attracts more people than it turns off.

wes · 24-06-2018 03:20PM

Wow, we really do have some snowflakes who will moan about anything. Corporate pride events are no big deal, if you don't want to go, then don't go. All this imaginary persecution some people have is pretty sad.

_Dara_ · 24-06-2018 03:22PM

I think work should remain as apolitical as possible. Any workplace will employ people with differing views. Well, what makes me uncomfortable is a company taking a stance. I read in the lead up to the 8th referendum that some workplaces were declaring as Yes workplaces. I was a Yes voter all the way and still I don’t think that’s right.

DickSwiveller · 24-06-2018 03:23PM

It's the power of fashion and a handy tool for multinationals to utilize so they can virtue signal to the useful idiots in the population who will commend them on how trendy and tolerant they are, and forget about all the tax the companies don't bother paying.

end of the road · 24-06-2018 03:24PM

TG1 wrote: »

I work in HR. In a previous role a member of the workforce approached us about celebrating pride in the office. There was a small budget given and the employee in question organised a few decorations. All very low key, but a nice way to celebrate diversity in the company.

Another member of the workforce complained, and the CEO stepped in and refused to allow the decorations. I had to be the one to explain to the employee who had approached us that actually a colleague had gone out of their way to object to it, and as a result we couldn't celebrate our diverse workforce.

Don't be that person who complains, it's a week of decorations and lanyards, not torture...

a week of decorations and lanyards is nothing to do with work time and frankly that stuff should be kept out of the work place. the op is there to work, not to do a course on divercity or to have social issues promoted to him. if the op or anyone else wants to get involved in campaigning on social issues, they will do it in their own time.
the CEO was right to step in and say no to the decorations. they want a work place where everyone is working, which is social issue and campaign free.

Cabaal · 24-06-2018 03:28PM

end of the road wrote: »

a week of decorations and lanyards is nothing to do with work time and frankly that stuff should be kept out of the work place. the op is there to work, not to do a course on divercity or to have social issues promoted to him. if the op or anyone else wants to get involved in campaigning on social issues, they will do it in their own time.
the CEO was right to step in and say no to the decorations. they want a work place where everyone is working, which is social issue and campaign free.

Lots of stuff doesn't have anything to do with work time, wishing people happy Christmas, Christmas decorations, a company if it so wishes can take a stance on a social issue....nothing wrong with it.

The bank in this case is doing nothing illegal,

end of the road · 24-06-2018 03:31PM

Cabaal wrote: »

Lots of stuff doesn't have anything to do with work time, wishing people happy Christmas, Christmas decorations, a company if it so wishes can take a stance on a social issue....nothing wrong with it.

The bank in this case is doing nothing illegal,

i never said the bank was doing anything illegal. however i do believe it should remain nutral in terms of social issues, like any work place.

TG1 · 24-06-2018 03:34PM

end of the road wrote: »

a week of decorations and lanyards is nothing to do with work time and frankly that stuff should be kept out of the work place. the op is there to work, not to do a course on divercity or to have social issues promoted to him. if the op or anyone else wants to get involved in campaigning on social issues, they will do it in their own time.
the CEO was right to step in and say no to the decorations. they want a work place where everyone is working, which is social issue and campaign free.

Motivation is a funny old thing though. Productivity is tied into an awful lot of things, including feelings of social belonging, and increased productivity at work comes from more than "here's your job, do it."
Corporations have a very fine line to walk in these sort of things, and while we all love to hate them, millennials are the future of the workforce... Not all, but the majority of young people love this sort of stuff, and corporate culture is a huge tool in attracting talent.

wes · 24-06-2018 03:39PM

_Dara_ wrote: »

I think work should remain as apolitical as possible.

Equality isn't a political point of view. Pride is apolitical unless your a bigot.

24-06-2018 03:43PM

paw patrol wrote:

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

Do you complain when the bank closes on a religious holiday like Good Friday. Are they not pushing religion on you by doing this?

Does your bank have Christmas decorations in December?

I think you might be overacting a little on this issue

DickSwiveller · 24-06-2018 03:53PM

wes wrote: »

Equality isn't a political point of view. Pride is apolitical unless your a bigot.

How tolerant of you.

Atlantic Dawn · 24-06-2018 03:58PM

A lot of these companies embracing Pride are the very same companies who no longer refer to Christmas, they simply call this period of time "the holidays" so as not to offend any non Christians, inclusiveness me hole.

Should there be a lanyard created with all possible causes included that every single member of staff might be partial to? I certainly would not wear a lanyard which may cause offence to someone in the office.

mikemac2 · 24-06-2018 04:02PM

Rainbow coloured lanyards
Posters for your desk declaring you are a straight ally
Stickers and badges
Talks and meetings from speakers
A diversity commitee

All well and good I guess. Like the OP I was in a bank too. Maybe someone somewhere had noble intentions to bring all this in. We still had a bullying culture, unpaid overtime and people crying at desks

Meh I think large multinationals do it so they can put it on their website. Reputation is everything to them

I'm sure it's different in small businesses where you see the owner around. That's genuine I'd say

wes · 24-06-2018 04:06PM

DickSwiveller wrote: »

How tolerant of you.

I never claimed to be tolerant, and I see no virtue in tolerance for all positions either. Still good effort, but you will need to try harder next time.

Gay Pride at work

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