- Being able to be yourself at work, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is not something we can take for granted. That's why this event is important for our 36,000 members. Together we stand up for our democratic rights - in a festive context," says Per Sjödin, head of negotiations at Naturvetarna.
Creating an inclusive workplace
Naturvetarnas negotiators and advisors held a workshop to engage participants in discussions on how we can work together to create more inclusive work environments.
- A key issue was how to deal with a colleague who makes stereotypical or discriminatory statements - but in a respectful and constructive way. Some of the participants emphasized that constructive feedback is often more effective than a harsh reprimand," says Per Holfve, negotiator and advisor at Naturvetarna.
From putting out fires to preventing them
Per Holfve also participated in a well-attended panel discussion with the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Knowledge, which recently launched the guide Good Work Environment for LGBTQI people. In the discussion, he highlighted the importance of working preventively:
- "We can certainly put out fires, but it is even more important to work preventively so that fires do not occur. This includes, for example, reporting offensive jargon or condescending treatment, even if it does not rise to the level of legal discrimination. Such incidents can provide important information about unhealthy patterns that should be captured in the systematic work environment management.
He also highlighted the usefulness of the guide's reflection exercises:
- "One exercise that particularly stuck with me is about not delving into a colleague's private life just because they belong to a minority group that you are curious about. Everyone has the right to privacy - it's a cornerstone of a safe and inclusive work environment. This autumn, we'll continue our work on creating inclusive workplaces, taking the inspiration and lessons learned from Pride Week with us.
Read more and download the guide
Want to know more about how you, as a manager, colleague or health and safety representative, can contribute to an inclusive culture? Read the interview with Per Holfve and download the Swedish Work Environment Authority's guide:
Interview with Per Holfve - how to create inclusive workplaces (is Swedish)
Download the guide Good working environment for LGBTQI people (PDF)
