Senior Copywriter Joe Baker explains how FXC’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Network aims to give employees support, raise awareness and build tolerance into the fabric of FXC.

Hi there! My name’s Joe, I’m a Copywriter at FXC and I’m a gay man. 

I’m proudly out of the closet nowadays, but I used to worry a lot about the way that I would be treated by other people in my life purely based on my sexuality – including at work. 

For many, this is still a constant struggle. I strongly believe we have a right to feel like we can bring our authentic selves to work without judgment. 

Unfortunately, many people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) community still don’t feel like they can do this. 

A recent Deloitte study found that only around half of British LGBTQ+ people feel comfortable coming out at work, while more than 38% said they had come up against homophobic or transphobic behaviour in the workplace. 

In those situations, the worst thing in the world is feeling like you’re on your own. That’s why it’s so important that businesses have networks that bring colleagues from the community together and give them a shared voice.

I can safely say that FXC is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever worked. However, I’m even more excited about our recently launched LGBTQIA+ Employee Network – a safe place where other FXC-ers in the same community can give each other support and raise awareness of inclusivity across the company. 

What is the goal of FXC’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Network?

We see our network as having three main purposes, which we discuss below.

Giving support

Many people may not have a supportive network of friends or family – whether they aren’t yet out of the closet or they are facing hostility, they may feel isolated. Entering a new workplace where you don’t know anyone can make it even more daunting to be authentically yourself.

For this reason, we want our network to reassure new and existing LGBTQIA+ employees and give them a place where they can connect and socialise with other people in the community, in turn helping them feel more confident and build stronger work relationships from the get go. 

Our first meetings have already been a fun, relaxed way to meet other people you might not otherwise speak to in the company and work together towards a common goal.

Raising awareness

A big part of our network will be helping the wider business understand why LGBTQIA+ inclusion is important and how to do it properly – whether that’s combatting discriminatory language and bullying when it arises or championing the use of more inclusive language. 

We aim to build resources into our company that explain how to be an ally and what it means to be inclusive to people both within and outside of that community.

Holding ourselves to account

Building an actual network will mean that there is a LGBTQIA+ voice in the room when it comes to discussing, for example, how the company’s policies and processes work. FXC regularly conducts surveys to gather employee feedback, including on the topic of diversity and inclusion. 

Having a network amplifies concerns that may be raised, whether that’s to do with discriminatory languages or practices or is related to other requirements that members of the community may have.

What FXC’s employees say

Ultimately, I’m happy to work somewhere that takes these issues seriously and truly cares about its employees.

But don’t just take it from me – here are a couple of testimonials from other employees in the LGBTQIA+ community about what it’s like working at FXC.

Liz Collier-Harrison, Senior Agile Delivery Lead

I’ve felt comfortable being myself and speaking openly about being married to another woman. There’s a feeling you can be your authentic self at FXC and that for me is so important because when you can be your authentic self, you can also be your best self.

Knowing that we’re actively engaging with LGBTQIA+ issues and getting insight from members of the community, as well as allies, all help to cement what a great place FXC Intelligence is to work.

Alex Raffai, Enterprise Account Manager

As an individual who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was thrilled to learn about FXC’s employee resource groups. 

Our LGBTQIA+ resource group represents a safe space where my colleagues and I are able to gather, discuss issues impacting our community and plan activations that promote the general acceptance and understanding of others.

I am proud to be a part of such a diverse and accepting company.

I’m really excited about 2024. We’re building tolerance into the fabric of FXC – so just know that if you are in the LGBTQIA+ community, you will be welcome here :)

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