Supporting Vocal and Authentic Allyship in the Workplace

Surekha Perks, Executive Assistant on Kroll’s UK Restructuring Advisory team, spoke to myGwork about her experience of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. She discusses why she became an active ally, the events she has been involved in at Kroll, and describes circumstances in which she displayed vocal allyship outside of the workplace.

Can you please introduce yourself and describe your role within your organization?

I am an Executive Assistant on Kroll’s UK Restructuring Advisory team and have been at the company since 2019. I have been part of the Global Inclusion & Diversity Council since 2021. More recently, I took up a role on the Pride Employee Network leadership team to support communications within the EMEA region.

What is your experience of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?

I take my lead from the community because I don’t want talk over them. I am open about being an ally and wanting to help, but I’m not perfect. I have made missteps in the past, but I’ve been grateful for friends who have explained where I went wrong. I’m grateful we can talk things through openly. Being an ally is being part of a very strong and loyal crew.

How, when, and why did you decide to be an LGBTQ+ ally?

My allyship began as a teenager as I had friends who identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I didn’t consider myself an “active” ally until a few years ago when I noticed the influx of negativity in the mainstream press. This was followed by an increase in online petitions to support LGBTQ+ rights. Eventually, I felt that adding my name to petitions wasn’t enough, so I started raising awareness, sharing resources, taking part in the discussions, and bringing my activism and allyship to Kroll.

Have you been involved in any activities with your organization’s LGBTQ+ network, which ones?

In my new role on Kroll’s Pride Employee Network leadership team, I recently assisted with the creation of Kroll’s new Allyship Program, which the network launched alongside a globally streamed panel to raise awareness about International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia. I also helped organise and attend a “Euphoria Happy Hour” event at our London office. I am also helping to plan more events to be held later in the year, which includes programming for Bi Visibility Day and National Coming Out Day. It’s great to have the support of Kroll to hold these events to raise awareness and celebrate diversity.

How can allies help create an inclusive workplace?

Start simple. Assume everyone you meet is part of the community and act accordingly. This could include introducing yourself using your pronouns and inviting others to share theirs. Using gender neutral terms when referring to people in emails, conversation and when asking about colleague’s family. These small acts can demonstrate allyship and could make a colleague feel welcomed and safe at work.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become an ally?

Everyone’s experience is different, so don’t make assumptions that the community feels the same way about every issue. You won’t get everything right all the time, so remain open to criticism and keep educating yourself—allyship is about lifelong learning.

What has been your greatest achievement as an ally?

Within the workplace, it was getting many of my colleagues in the Birmingham office to sign up to the Kroll Allyship Program and pledge themselves to support the LGBTQ+ community. Also, being part of the Kroll Pride Employee Network leadership team has really meant a lot and I hope to do the network proud.

Can you give us an example of a time you were a vocal ally outside the workplace?

I am of Indian ethnicity (although born in the UK), but some of my family hold negative stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. There have been many conversations, discussions, and arguments about it. It was frustrating that they didn’t even realise what they were saying was offensive or when they were misled by misinformation in the media. However, during moments like these, I remain calm, give my family the space to express themselves and try my best to impart on them the importance of allyship and treating all people with dignity.