Turing Circle - LGBTQIA+ Scientists and Engineers
The science and engineering industry in Australia is currently undergoing a shift to make them more LGBTQIA+ friendly. Although there are workplace laws that make it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace, this does not necessarily result in science and engineering workplaces being LGBTQIA+ friendly.
LGBTQIA+ scientists and engineers are often 'hidden' in the workplace. Some of the most frequently cited reasons for not being out at the workplace includes:
Some of the effects on an employee when they cannot be 'out' at work are:
For employers, having an LGBTQIA+ friendly workplace can:
There is currently a shortage of engineers and scientists in Australia and New Zealand. One of the ways to address this issue is to encourage university science and/or engineering graduates to enter the science and/or engineering industry after graduating. However, LGBTQIA+ individuals often site the following reasons for not pursuing a career in science and/or engineering:
I founded Turing Circle in 2017 to address the aforementioned issues. Turing Circle brings LGBTQIA+ scientists and engineers, who would otherwise be isolated from each other, together through our regular social and networking meet-ups . Through these meet-ups, individuals can establish their own support network, business network, and also find out more about LGBTQIA+ friendly employers.
Turing Circle also encourages and provide support to businesses and organisation to become more LGBTQIA+ friendly. Having an LGBTQIA+ friendly workplace has a mutual benefit for both the employee and employer.
To find out more about Turing Circle, please visit www.TuringCircle.com.
LGBTQIA+ scientists and engineers are often 'hidden' in the workplace. Some of the most frequently cited reasons for not being out at the workplace includes:
- the fear of it having an effect on an individuals career progression.
- working in a homophobic environment such as on construction sites and mining sites.
- being discriminated against.
Some of the effects on an employee when they cannot be 'out' at work are:
- not being able to be fully present at work.
- not being able to build successful and meaningful business connections and network as this requires openness and trust.
- having a constant fear of being 'outed'.
For employers, having an LGBTQIA+ friendly workplace can:
- enable employees to fully focus on their job without the fear of being 'outed' or discriminated against.
- enable employees to bring their full selves to work to benefit the business.
- enable employees to built successful and meaningful business connections.
- be the reason why an LGBTQIA+ scientist or engineer will chose to work for you instead of your competitors.
There is currently a shortage of engineers and scientists in Australia and New Zealand. One of the ways to address this issue is to encourage university science and/or engineering graduates to enter the science and/or engineering industry after graduating. However, LGBTQIA+ individuals often site the following reasons for not pursuing a career in science and/or engineering:
- a concern that they have to go back into the 'closet' due to limited LGBTQIA+ friendly work places.
- a concern that the industry is homophobic.
I founded Turing Circle in 2017 to address the aforementioned issues. Turing Circle brings LGBTQIA+ scientists and engineers, who would otherwise be isolated from each other, together through our regular social and networking meet-ups . Through these meet-ups, individuals can establish their own support network, business network, and also find out more about LGBTQIA+ friendly employers.
Turing Circle also encourages and provide support to businesses and organisation to become more LGBTQIA+ friendly. Having an LGBTQIA+ friendly workplace has a mutual benefit for both the employee and employer.
To find out more about Turing Circle, please visit www.TuringCircle.com.
