Big Ideas in IDEA

Canadian history is riddled with highs and lows of the treatment and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and 2023 is not immune to these trends. From transphobic political commentary, protests at family-friendly queer events, anti-2SLGBTQI+ legislation in the United States, and a country-wide protest of queer inclusion in schools, it has been a tough year.  

National Coming Out Day started in celebration of the second march on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This march was held to bring awareness to the 2SLGBTQI+ community and the demand to be treated as equal citizens in the United States and North America. The Day provided the opportunity to celebrate the community’s bravery and combat the homophobia and unequal treatment the community faced and continued to face.  

This National Coming Out Day feels a bit different, considering recent North American events. Typically, National Coming Out Day is seen as a celebration of owning one’s queer identity. The challenge Canada is currently facing is the transphobic and homophobic rhetoric appearing as a targeted affront to the education system and queer spaces for the inclusion of queer kid-friendly education. For example, on September 20th, 2023, there was a nationwide protest against the inclusion of queer education in public school systems. As well, across Canada, there is an increasing number of protests outside of Drag Queen Kid Story Hours and family-friendly queer events. Unfortunately, there is a beautiful culture of queerness that is and continues to be shamed, putting queer children, non-confirming students, and 2SLGBTQI+ teachers in the crosshairs of this tension. 

This year, we might consider that National Coming Out Day may need to be about more than just celebrating people claiming their queer identity but also creating safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQI+ community as a whole. A Queer safe space is “a place or environment where a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community can feel safe and confident about themselves, without their sexuality and/or gender identity being a problem or issue for the other people around them.” This work will allow those coming out to feel safe, valued, and seen. As you navigate this Day in your workplaces, below are some ways you can show up for your coworkers, family members, and educators and create safe spaces for everyone to thrive: 

1. Education: Find and share resources on queer identities, issues, and healthcare needs. Share reliable resources on supporting transgender journeys in schools, healthcare, and workplaces. Find some of our resources, workshops and related events here: IDEA Infographics for Your Workplace Journey.
2. Policy and Procedures Review: Don’t wait to find out your policies are not 2SLGBTQI+ friendly. Go through your work policies, codes of conduct, dress codes, and communication plans to ensure language is gender-neutral and inclusive of all people. CCDI Consulting can support your organization with this important step in creating real change and contributing to your organization’s success. More information on policy and document review can be found here: Advisory Services | CCDI Consulting.  
3. Benefits Review: Ensure that your benefits are written with a gender-neutral lens. Review your parental and maternity leave policies to ensure they are gender inclusive. 
4. IDEA Groups: Whether it is an IDEA steering committee, pluralism group or an Employee Resource Group, ensure your groups have the support, funding, and leadership buy-in they need to move the needle to a more equitable and inclusive workplace.  
5. Explicit Support: Does your organization make it explicit that they are 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive? Ensure you have recognition and inclusive statements on your website, in your codes of conduct and in safe space materials.  
6. Celebrate: Celebrate and promote awareness of queer events. There are more days than just Pride and National Coming Out Day. Find notable days here: Notable 2SLGBTQ+ Awareness Date | QueerEvents.ca. In light of the transphobic rhetoric occurring, one Day we strongly suggest you prepare to participate in is the Trans Day of Remembrance coming up in November. How you participate comes in many forms. Some examples are educating yourself on related issues, learning and creating awareness on what the notable Day is about, sharing notes of support internally and externally to the impacted communities, or volunteering at local queer organizations and events. 

The Canadian environment is not always a welcoming or safe place for the 2SLGBTQI+ community members. To ensure National Coming Out Day is a positive experience for those around you, as an ally and employer, we need to put in the work of creating inclusive spaces. This year let’s celebrate the Day by making the spaces queer folks interact with safe, understanding and inclusive enough that they can come out and live a full, rich and authentic life.

The modern workplace is a mosaic of diverse talents, experiences, and backgrounds. While often overlooked, the presence of multiple generations working together under one roof is an aspect of diversity that affects every single one of us. From Baby Boomers to Generation Z, each generation brings its unique perspective, skills, and strengths to the table. Harnessing the collective wisdom of these diverse age groups is crucial for a successful, innovative, and inclusive workplace. In this article, we will explore the concept of intergenerational inclusion in the workplace and provide practical tips for its implementation. 

When I think about the different generational cohorts – Generation Z, Millennials, Baby Boomers, Generation X – I am reminded of the many videos and articles that compare the generations and try to highlight how they are opposed to one another, essentially creating an us-versus-them phenomenon. Recently, I had a discussion with a friend who was sharing their observation that Millennials and Generation Z are focusing more on “work-life balance” and “mental well-being,” while Generation X and Baby Boomers focus more on the “grind” and “working hard.” I have heard this observation before and find it interesting that these are presented as opposing ideas because I think they are motivated by similar values – being fully engaged in work and not wanting to burden others in your workplace. Typically, folks who prioritize work-life balance are doing so in order to be able to bring their full selves to work and be more productive when they are at work. So, work-life balance is not the opposite of “working hard” but rather a method used to work hard. When time is taken to understand another perspective, even when it seems opposing, new understanding can be gained, allowing us to work better together. 

How can we leverage more opportunities for different generations to work together?  

1. Establish Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs that pair younger employees with older colleagues. This allows for the transfer of knowledge,  fosters meaningful relationships and allows all generations to leverage and share their skills. 
2. Promote Inclusive Communication: Encourage open and respectful communication across generations. Create platforms for employees to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and brainstorming sessions can facilitate these interactions. Be cognizant of age-based microaggressions such as “ok boomer” and “kiddo.” 
3. Flexible Work Arrangements: Recognize that different generations may have varying work preferences. If it is possible in your workplace to offer flexible work arrangements such as remote work options or flexible hours to accommodate the diverse needs and lifestyles of your employees, this can have powerful impacts on employee experience. Remember, “work-life balance” doesn’t counteract “hardworking.” 
4. Training and Development: Provide opportunities for continuous learning and development for all employees. Tailor training programs to address the specific needs and preferences of different generations. For example, as a general tendency, older employees may appreciate in-person training sessions, while younger ones might prefer online modules. Offering differentiated methods of learning provides opportunities to engage more employees overall.  
5. Feedback and Recognition: Implement a feedback and recognition system that values the strengths of each generation. Encourage managers to provide constructive feedback that suits the needs of their team members. For instance, older employees may appreciate face-to-face interactions, while younger employees may appreciate recognition on social platforms.  
6. Generational Diversity Training: Offer workshops or training sessions that help employees understand and appreciate generational differences. This can reduce stereotypes and biases and foster a more inclusive workplace culture. This could be encompassed in Cultural Competency training. Each generation is shaped by the environment in which they were raised, and we continue to add to our economic, social, and political lenses as we age. 
7. Leadership Opportunities: Create opportunities for employees of all generations to take on leadership roles. Consider offering leadership roles that vary in scope and time commitment, allowing employees to balance leadership responsibilities with other personal and professional interests. This can help break down generational barriers and ensure that diverse voices are represented in decision-making processes.  
8. Flexible Benefits Packages: Offer benefits packages that cater to the diverse needs of employees at different stages of their careers. This can include options for retirement planning, childcare support, or wellness programs that address the physical and mental health concerns of employees of all ages. 

Intergenerational inclusion in the workplace is not just a trend; it's a necessity in today's diverse and dynamic work environment. Embracing the unique strengths and perspectives of each generation can lead to improved innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. It's time for organizations to take concrete steps toward fostering a workplace culture that values and includes all age groups. 

As a call to action, I urge employers and HR professionals to take the following steps: 

1. Assess Your Current State: Begin by assessing your organization's current state of intergenerational inclusion. Identify areas where improvements can be made and set clear goals for fostering inclusion across generations. Assessing the current state may be measured internally through surveys and interviews, but hiring external consultants can help provide a different perspective and can lead to more honest responses from participants.  
2. Develop a Strategy: Create a comprehensive strategy that outlines the specific initiatives and actions your organization will take to promote intergenerational inclusion. Involve employees from different generations in the planning process to ensure diverse perspectives are considered, such as through focus groups. 
3. Allocate Resources: Allocate the necessary resources, both financial and human, to support the implementation of your strategy. Ensure that there is buy-in from top leadership to drive these initiatives forward. 
4. Measure Progress: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the progress of your intergenerational inclusion efforts. Regularly review and report on these KPIs to track your organization's success. An example could be measuring the percentage change in leadership positions held by different generational groups.  
5. Celebrate Success: Recognize and celebrate the achievements and milestones reached in your journey towards intergenerational inclusion. Highlight the positive impact on your organization's culture and performance. 

Intergenerational inclusion in the workplace is a powerful tool for driving innovation, knowledge sharing, and employee engagement. By implementing practical strategies and fostering a culture of inclusivity, organizations can harness the full potential of their multi-generational workforce and create a brighter future for all. The time to act is now. Embrace generational diversity, and watch your organization thrive.