Organic Comes Out

Companies and organizations are recognizing more than ever that great talent is becoming more and more difficult to attain in a constantly-growing economic climate. There is now a growing trend to attract candidates prior to college graduation. A recent survey by Decima Research found that only 16% of professionals under age 30 deem salary a priority. The 'money can't buy you happiness' adage holds particularly true for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) communities. With no legal protection in most U.S. states, GLBT individuals have historically gone underrepresented or into hiding at the work place.

Although there has been much progress over past decades for GLBT rights, there is still a long way to go.

Fact: In 36 states, it is legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation.
Fact: In 46 states, it is legal to fire someone based on his or her gender identity.

While many companies have very specific clauses, most do not include protection against sexual preference and gender identity discrimination in their sexual harassment policies. Even fewer extend benefit rights to domestic partners of their employees.

Organic sees the value of how variety in the workplace can translate into more variety in talent, greater ideas, and ultimately better overall creative. To this end, several Organic employees from San Francisco, Toronto and New York traveled to Washington, D.C. for this year's 'Out For Work' conference. This youth-based, GLBT-supported conference and employment fair gave Organic the opportunity to show support for this community.

Mark Kingdon spoke to an attentive audience on the importance of working for an organization that supports diversity; how one can truly flourish, be happier, and ultimately be a stronger employee if he or she is within an environment that welcomes and embraces those from all backgrounds. He also spoke personally of his own workplace experiences, and how important it is not to allow others (or even yourself) to impose limits on you.

During the employment fair, which included envoys from large companies like Target, Ernst & Young, Boeing, and Merk, Organic's human resources representative Paulette James Anderson, and Group Director, David Albright, spoke to GLBT youth with respect and encouragement about opportunities at Organic.

As an 'out' lesbian working at Organic, even I found the experience to be eye-opening. I learned new things (like where transgendered individuals can buy business-appropriate work wear), and also gained an even stronger sense of pride in Organic for taking this  'visible' leap forward. Organic's participation at this conference has introduced us to another highly-talented pool, all the while publicly showing that Organic practices what it preaches by actively seeking and embracing diversity - and that our company excels partly because of our values and inclusion.

Clare