Can you share a moment where you felt you could truly be your authentic self at work, and what role did your colleagues or environment play in making that happen?
When I worked in hospitality, they were a diverse team to begin with, but also loved celebrating events like Pride on their own initiative, without anyone from the LGBTQIA+ community having to mention it. At Avery Dennison, people have asked me how things are in my life and mentioned their lives at home, which has made me feel like I am in a caring and safe space.
Although sometimes there are people who are gay who are nervous to talk about their personal lives first, as there can be people who aren’t supportive of their lifestyle. If you get this impression that someone from the community is not so open with you, I would perhaps suggest talking positively and openly about a common interest you may share from the community with them, such as a reality show you may watch, like RuPaul’s Drag Race, or even talking about a friend or family member you may know who is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. That can show them you are an ally.
I also get the impression that people outside of the community may sometimes be scared to talk to those from the community in case they say the wrong thing. I can understand that because sometimes I don’t know everything about the community I am a part of. However, if you are trying to support, that's good enough for me, so let's continue to learn from each other.
What does meaningful allyship look like to you?
I think meaningful allyship is the simple act of being thoughtful. At Avery Dennison, we celebrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity and have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) built into the organization, so this does not get ignored and it’s a very impactful act. When a situation has arisen or is starting to rise, ask yourself, how could this affect people in a more vulnerable state than myself?
What advice would you give to others who are looking to be more authentic at work?
Be curious, confident and when you have a question, don’t be afraid to raise your hand. As I develop throughout my career, I continue attending as much training as possible, and I will be the person sitting at the front rather than hiding away at the back. To be authentic, you have to believe in yourself.
