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How to Solve it?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We are encountering today, a moving scene, where Filipino attitudes and strategic approaches change towards a more worthy environment. The advantages of LGBT-friendly working environment reach out past that of ensuring their safety and freedom of expression, but will also prompt the improved well-being, expanded occupation fulfillment, better associations with co-workers, and more prominent work responsibility among the LGBT workers. Thus, more effective implementation of diversity and inclusion policies, will bring about a more open workplace of advancement and innovation.
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Law for Equality
Before we take the opportunity to speak about preventing discrimination in the workplace, it is necessary to describe it. Discrimination is characterized as treating an individual or group less favorably than any other person or group because of their circumstances or personal characteristics. For example, gender discrimination happens when an employer handles an individual differently regardless of their gender or sexual identity. It is necessary to enforce company policy and to deter a hostile working atmosphere.
To stop the discrimination the Senate Bill No. 1934 or SOGIESC-based Anti-Discrimination Bill was filed. The SOGIE bill is all about Equality for the LGBTQ+, it says that they must be treated and recognized as equals. It also ensures that their rights must be protected just like everyone. But not just that, this bill also defines the concepts of gender identity, gender expression, and many other terms that are relevant to it. One of its components is protecting the right of every queer worker. This ensures equality in job opportunities, promotion, work assignment, and overall treatment. The bill was approved by a Senate panel led by Risa Hontiveros in December 2020 and is still fighting to be approved by other higher-ups to become a law.
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Anti-discrimination
The bill would only work if employers, workers, and organizations will abide by the equality advocated by it. Here are some ways we could prevent discrimination in the workplace especially towards queers.
Employers should train staff about how to make a report and promote an open-door policy without fear of harmful consequences. The organization should review each allegation of prejudice and practice due diligence in performing a fair inquiry. The whole process should be reported and both protocol and administrative proceedings should be fairly discussed on the grounds of the results of the inquiry. It is an excellent idea to remain compliant with the implementation of those policies and to continue moving for a workplace free from discrimination.
Another good idea to avoid discrimination in the workplace is to interact regularly with the staff. It is helpful to get input about their work experience and whether they have encountered prejudice on their own or observed it at work. Welcome on-going contact will make the workers feel more secure relaying their questions.
Routinely Update Anti-Discrimination Policies. Employers should ensure an experienced work lawyer evaluate and amend their anti-discrimination practices on a regular basis. The LGBTQ+ community has recently been very active in securing new legal protection in both state and city legislation, as well as supportive court ruling that extend the reach of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Lastly, be kind and respectful. Queers are just like any other workers who are deserving of respect from their employers and co-workers. They are in their respective workplace because they are capable and have worked hard to be there. Discriminating them about their gender would just make you look uneducated about the diversity in our world. So, just stop the hate and just be kind towards everyone.