In celebration of pride month last June, TELUS International Philippines (TIP) held an intimate gathering with media friends to share the company’s advocacy on the importance of gender sensitivity in the workplace and key steps on how to become an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. As a company that is heavily grounded in a people-first culture, TIP feels that diversity, inclusiveness and belonging within the company should be one of its first priorities.
Spectrum Philippines, which serves as TIP’s resource group for the LGBTQI+ community, works closely with TELUS International Philippines team members to educate them on the importance of a respectful workplace. For them, the end goal should be a company culture that promotes inclusiveness so that employees of all gender orientations can reach their full potential as professionals.
“At TELUS International Philippines, we focus on the needs of our team members and work towards building an inclusive, accepting, and caring culture for them. Spectrum Philippines has been a driving force within our company as we empower our team members to choose their own paths, both professionally and personally. Diversity is a strength we continuously nurture. By enabling our team members to come to work and be their whole selves, we create a workplace that better facilitates a wider exchange of ideas, promotes better talent retention, and inspires creativity and innovation,” said Warren Tait, TELUS International Philippines Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Culture and Spectrum’s Executive Sponsor.
Last Pride Month, TELUS International Philippines and Spectrum hosted learning sessions entitled, “SOGIE 101, Gender Sensitivity, and How to Become an Ally.” These sessions were designed to encourage appreciation of diversity and to educate people on the struggles of being an LGBTQIA+ individual in the Philippines.
“At TELUS International Philippines, what helps us a lot is the feedback that we actively get from our team members. They are the ones who help us improve to become a friendlier and more inclusive company, advocating for and showing care for everyone at work,” Tait emphasized.
Due to Spectrum Philippines’ relentless engendering of positive change in the organization, the activities and programs led by the Spectrum team have resulted in increased membership from different backgrounds. More than half of the group’s members are allies who identify themselves as cisgender (or straight) but are empathetic to the cause of the LGBTQIA+ community. For example, one of the most prominent things they have done is the introduction of benefits such as extending HMO coverage to dependents, domestic partners and same sex partners of team members. This lessens the worry of LGBTQIA+ individuals with dependents or partners who would normally be unable to benefit from their partner’s coverage, as they are not recognized as married under the law. Moreover, these insights led the HR and leadership teams to spearhead more positive changes, such as the introduction of gender neutral, self-identified male, and self-identified female restrooms at all of TIP’s sites.
Even beyond the office, TIP is a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community of the country. Last June, for instance, TIP and Spectrum had an ongoing fundraising activity for the benefit of the LoveYourself Foundation. Proceeds will benefit the LoveYourself Foundation’s education efforts about HIV/AIDS for the LGBTQIA+ community and the Filipino youth.