How to Relocate Safely as an LGBTQ+ Employee
July 21, 2023We recently hosted a panel discussion focusing on the importance of putting safety first when it comes to relocating in business as an LGBTQ+ employee. With varying perspectives from professionals in the travel and business industries, the panel provided opportunities for helpful advice in overcoming hurdles, and suggestions as to how organizations can do more to support their LGBTQ+ staff.
As well as unique advice, they share their personal experiences as people from the community who have been impacted by relocation. Read on to find out more about their journeys and their insights, and also receive an exclusive offer with CityVue!
Host speaker Devin Ibañez, Customer Success Manager at myGwork, introduced the guests, thanking them for taking part and being so willing to share their experiences of the struggles of relocating as an LGBTQ+ employee. As someone who has relocated for work himself, he understands first-hand how the shift in social attitude and necessary research into legislation surrounding LGBTQ+ identities can impact someone.
Laila El-Metoui, Equity Educator from LemEducation.com, has also had experience in this field, and as such she understands the importance of providing LGBTQ+ individuals with a choice when it comes to arranging relocation.
“Before requesting travel, you and the organization need to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the destinations country looking at the law and social climate,” suggested Laila. “Share this information transparently with the employee ensuring that they fully understand the risks and obtain informed consent and give them the option to decline. If they feel uncomfortable, offer alternative arrangements.”
Aaron Roberson from CityVue also voiced the direct effect of relocation on his life. Not only did it impact how he felt, but he found that his presence in less progressive areas inspired confidence in other people.
“I started to share my lifestyle with people and a positive that came out of this was that a lot of people I didn’t know were looking at me were approaching me,” he shared. “People who had never come out were approaching me, wanting to share their stories and I was really humbled by it. But my relocation from San Francisco to Boston dimmed my light. It didn’t extinguish it, but it definitely dimmed it.”
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Stephan Heinz, Investor & CSO at myGwork, provided a perspective from someone who works closely with many LGBTQ+ people every day. He called for managers to think carefully about the locations they are sending employees to, and make sure conversations are held to ensure everyone’s safety.
“I think it should be a conversation where you're not actually asking the person questions and getting answers, you're getting them to answer the questions for themselves,” he suggested. “Have they thought about the complications? Have they understood and researched the area or the location? What you want to have at the end of the conversation is they've had some thoughts.”
Discussing how it can impact closeted individuals, or even affect the confidence of openly LGBTQ+ employees, Ricardo Benitez from GAIN shared his view on how a person’s identity can often be overlooked in favor of simplifying the process of relocation.
“It can be expected for an LGBTQ+ person to just go back into the closet and hide who they are, because then they’ll fit in,” said Ricardo. “Being something that isn’t perhaps visible in a person makes it easy to ignore and overlook when you’re asking someone to put themselves in a situation without really weighing the impact that can have on them or their performance as a team member.”
Anthony Marroney from Standard Chartered Bank also touched upon the challenges LGBTQ+ face in the workplace, and what his business is doing to tackle these hurdles effectively.
“One of the big challenges that the LGBTQ community faces is whether or not you are open and out of work,” explained Anthony. “If you've been asked to take a short-term assignment or to permanently relocate, how do you have these conversations, especially when you're not out?
"So, we provide toolkits for line managers on how to approach these conversations where you don't have to try to out somebody, or you don't have to delve into their personal information, you can ask them if there are any sensitivities that they want to raise about relocation or travel to give them an opportunity to air those concerns.”
Check out the full panel discussion on How to Relocate Safely as an LGBTQ+ Employee here, containing helpful advice and personal experiences for those concerned about the safety of their LGBTQ+ staff.
We are also pleased to announce that Aaron Roberson from CityVue has provided an exclusive offer for myGwork members! Starting August 1, 2023, CityVue will offer a 50% discount on their annual subscription to all myGwork users and their private circle. The regular annual plan (£24.99) can be redeemed for a promotional price of £12.99. To claim this discount, users can go to http://cityvue.co.uk to learn more about the CityVue app, FAQs, and commitment to privacy. On August 1, they can use the following promo code “mygwork” in the Apple and Google App Stores to redeem the promotion.
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