Workplace Pride is pleased to organise its First Nordic Forum on September 14th 2023, with the theme “Joining Forces for LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion”. This event is designed for our many members and other stakeholders who have activities in the Nordic region.

Creating workplaces where everyone can be themselves is a priority for modern businesses
worldwide. People who feel included and have a sense of belonging at work are more productive,
better team players, and make a more significant contribution. They are less likely to be ill or need
to be replaced, which translates into financial impact for businesses.

Despite being historically inclusive societies, the Nordic countries are often new to creating
workplaces where members of the LGBTIQ+ community can be themselves. The challenges this
represents for employers of all types, ranging from support and benefits to recruitment and
retention, cannot be understated, particularly when extended to their international activities.
However, navigating this future can be done in collaboration. 

With this in mind, we are organising the Workplace Pride Nordic Forum, with the theme,
“Joining Forces for LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion”, on September 14th, 2023. Hosted by our
member Electrolux Group at their head offices in Stockholm, this highly interactive forum will bring
together our many members in the region to share knowledge and find synergies on this topic. In
addition, we will engage with corporate, diplomatic and civil society stakeholders to explore how we
can collectively make progress for the LGBTIQ+ community in the workplace.
 

Host:           Electrolux Group, Sweden, Stockholm

Location:   Electrolux’s Head Office, Sankt Goransgatan, 143 SE 105 45, Stockholm,
Sweden

Dates:         September 14th, 2023

Registration: 09:00 – 10:00

Time:          10:00 – 17:00

This is a member’s only event!

Organiser: Workplace Pride Foundation

Download the program here.

PROGRAM

Practical solutions for greater LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion: The Nordic Perspective

Time: 13:15 – 14:30

Location: Electorlux Group – Sankt Goransgatan, 143 SE 105 45, Stockholm, Sweden

Breakout session description:

Making workplaces more inclusive for LGBTIQ+ people is difficult and complex work.
Workplace Pride has identified 8 areas of focus that should be considered in LGBTIQ+
Workplace Inclusion efforts. We measure leading practices across these areas of focus
through our Global Benchmark and within member organisations.

This interactive breakout session will examine these focus areas through the lens of the
Nordic Region. We will work in groups to look at some example scenarios and have the
group discuss what might make those situations more LGBTIQ+ inclusive.

Objectives:
Breakout session participants will gain practical knowledge of the Workplace Pride
LGBTIQ+ Inclusion model. Through interactive discussions and practical experience, they
will build a network of others working on the same issues in other organizations, and will
be able to go back to their own organizations with fresh ideas of how to make even more
progress for LGBTQI+ people.

Moderator: Brian Yothers, Director of Operations, Workplace Pride Foundation

Legal & cultural challenges in creating LGBTIQ+ inclusive workplaces in different countries

Time: 13:15 – 14:30

Breakout session description:

In this breakout session, speakers will share their experiences in handling legal and cultural difficulties LGBTIQ+ professionals experience in the workplace in different countries. What kind legal challenges do LGBTIQ+ professionals experience in countries where homosexuality is legally punished? Is there anything an organization can do to protect them? How about countries where LGBTIQ+ rights are legally protected and yet LGBTIQ+ professionals face discrimination and harassment in the workplace? How can your organization provide support to LGBTIQ+ identifying professionals? Together with speakers and participants, the session will explore tangible actions you can take to promote LGBTIQ+ inclusion in your organization.

Objectives:

Breakout session participants will gain practical knowledge of how to support their LGBTIQ+ identifying colleagues in their own organization. Participants will also gain an understanding of the organizational benefits of LGBTIQ+ inclusion. Through interactive discussions and practical experiences, they will be able to go back to their own organizations with a better idea of how to engage all stakeholders on this topic.  

Moderator: 

• Yuli Kim, Program Development Director, Workplace Pride

Panelists: 

• Mickey van Helden, EMEA/Global DE&I Specialist, Baker McKenzie, the Netherlands
• Cosimo Scarano, Sustainability Project Lead, Electrolux Group, Sweden

Fuller workplace engagement with LGBTIQ+ sustainability 

Time: 13:15 – 14:30

Breakout session description:

Measurement is key to understanding challenges and implementing change in any modern organisation. But how does an organisation go about measurement when the group being measured is hard or even impossible to identify? What types of questions can be asked and how can the LGBTIQ+ community become involved? This interactive breakout session looks at elements of measurement to achieve inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community and how savvy employers can engage in a number of ways.

Objectives:

Breakout session participants will gain practical knowledge of how to create awareness, engage executive leaders and colleagues in their own organisation on the topic of measurement when it comes to the LGBTIQ+ community. Through inter-active discussions and practical experiences, they will be able to go back to their own organisations with a better idea of how to engage all stakeholders on this topic.  

Moderator: 

• David Pollard, Executive Director, Workplace Pride

Panelists: 

• Malin Ekefalk: Dir Social Responsibility & Community Investment Group Sustainability, Electrolux
• Timo Mashiyi-Veikkola: Design Director, Head of Research, Electrolux

Download:- Practical solutions for greater LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion: The Nordic Perspective

Moderator: Brian Yothers, Director of Operations, Workplace Pride Foundation

Download:- Legal & cultural challenges in creating LGBTIQ+ inclusive workplaces in different countries

Moderator: 

• Yuli Kim, Program Development Director, Workplace Pride

Panelists: 

• Mickey van Helden, EMEA/Global DE&I Specialist, Baker McKenzie, the Netherlands
• Cosimo Scarano, Sustainability Project Lead, Electrolux Group, Sweden

Download:- Fuller workplace engagement with LGBTIQ+ sustainability 

Moderator: 

• David Pollard, Executive Director, Workplace Pride

Panelists: 

• Malin Ekefalk: Dir Social Responsibility & Community Investment Group Sustainability, Electrolux
• Timo Mashiyi-Veikkola: Design Director, Head of Research, Electrolux

To view all the visuals from the Workplace Pride 2023 Nordic Forum, please click here!