Despite some of the milestones made in the U.S. in the last few decades, members of the LGBTQIA+ community still face discrimination — often on the job.
According to a study conducted by the Human Rights Campaign on understanding the climate for LGBTQ workers, 46 percent of LGBTQ workers said they are closeted at work, with a majority of respondents saying it’s because they’re afraid of being stereotyped. And as Built In writer Sunny Betz pointed out, as of 2018, only 20 states in the U.S. have explicit laws set in place that protect employees from hiring and workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
These statistics highlight just how important workplace resources and allyship are for LGBTQIA+ employees. One company that recognizes this and is doing its part to help foster a more diverse and inclusive environment is Chicago-based Fetch, a mobile rewards app.
Built In Chicago caught up with the company’s Inclusion Specialist Diana Mudenda to learn how the company supports and empowers its LGBTQIA+ employees.
Internally, what does your company do to support LGBTQIA+ employees?
At Fetch, we deeply value the diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas that make up our community. Because of that, we’re committed to diversity, equality and inclusion every day and in everything we do.
Fetch is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, political views or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Crowd-Favorite Benefits
- An LGBTQ+ employee resource group that provides a safe space and fosters community for LGBTQ+ employees within the company
- A wellness coach that specializes in overall health
- Unlimited PTO and flexible scheduling
- Access to a D&I learning software
- Pet insurance and more
How do you work with LGBTQIA+ employees to ensure they feel supported in the workplace?
Our approach to maintaining an inclusive workspace is an intersectional one! We encourage people to be who they are and prioritize respectful and empathetic dialogue. Additionally, we provide resources that allow people the ability to self-educate around issues of diversity and inclusion at any level.
At Fetch, we deeply value the diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas that make up our community.”
Our LGBTQ+ employee resource group functions as a safe space that allows our LGBTQ+ employees the ability to amplify their voices, feel heard, supported and be a part of a community.
