As a student entering the workforce, either as a graduate, placement student or intern, finding a workplace where you can thrive as your authentic self is essential. But how can you tell if a workplace is truly inclusive or simply just doing things to ‘look good’?

Below is a list of things or indicators to consider but your criteria and research will be guided by what is important to YOU.

Inclusive policies and leadership

Most UK organisations will have policies on diversity and inclusion but this might not explicitly refer to LGBTQIA+ employees and can sometimes seem more focused on compliance with the law (the Equality Act 2010) rather than genuine inclusion. So look beyond the policy.

· Leadership sets the tone for an inclusive culture: is there evidence that senior leaders openly advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion? Search for evidence of their allyship on, for example, LinkedIn profiles or in blogs and articles.

· Does the organisation actively celebrate events such as Pride and LGBT+ History Month, or mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)?

· Are there clear procedures in place for reporting and addressing harassment or discrimination?

· Is there support available for transgender employees including access to gender-neutral facilities?

Staff networks and employee resource/support groups

Many inclusive workplaces have a range of different staff networks to support colleagues, so research their website and find out if there is a network for LGBTQIA+ staff and allies. Staff networks

· Provide a safe space for employees to connect and share experiences.

· Organise events and awareness campaigns to foster inclusion.

· Collaborate with HR and leadership to ensure policies reflect the needs of LGBTQIA+ employees.

As an intern, placement student or graduate, these groups can also be a fantastic way to network and find mentorship opportunities early in your career. Find out more about the network and how active it is by contacting the organisation’s HR department or by reaching out directly to the Chair of the network.

Representation and visibility

We all know that representation and action matters more than words. A truly inclusive organisation will feature diverse voices in marketing, training materials, and internal communications. Consider the language used in official communications, is it inclusive and does it avoid gendering assumptions?

Other signs include the use of pronouns in email signatures, or, if visiting the office, pronoun badges, LGBTQIA+ lanyards, ally stickers and posters.

Training and accountability

This can sometimes be a little more difficult to find evidence of as information about internal training and development opportunities are often only accessible to current employees. Try to find out if the organisation requires all employees to complete mandatory diversity and inclusion training, including LGBTQIA+ specific topics, as this can be a positive sign of an inclusive culture.

Inclusive workplaces actively seek feedback from their employees by conducting anonymous employee surveys to understand the experiences of staff, setting measurable diversity and inclusion goals and reporting on the progress. This work might lead to recognition from external organisations or appear on lists such as the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index or Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, which can also be a good sign (though rankings use varying methodologies and can therefore provide very different results).

Final thoughts

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of things to consider and the presence of training, staff networks and policies do not guarantee an inclusive employer. But, in my experience it is an indication that there is an awareness, understanding and willingness to provide a welcoming work environment where everyone feels respected.

Please don’t hesitate to talk to us in Careers if you have any questions or concerns about inclusion and diversity in the workplace, our 1:1 appointments are confidential and a safe space for you to discuss anything related to your career and professional development.