The Friendfactor
Workplace Ally Challenge
Overview for Potential Participants
Why we’re here
96%
77%
14%
Straight Americans
Who Support LGBT
Inclusion
Who Do Something
About It
We want to move more people here.
The workplaces where they spend most
of their time are a good place to start.
Sources: Williams Institute 2013, Center for Talent Innovation 2013
Why allies?
Imagine a culture where everyone, not just LGBT people, takes
responsibility for LGBT inclusion.
The voices of allies –bosses, team members, execs – can have an
exponential impact on LGBT people’s everyday work experiences.
In the words of our participants:
Allies provide invaluable
support to LGBT folks and
create necessary social change
by disseminating information
and positively influencing the
opinions of others.
Strong vocal allies are so
important in the fight for
equality, compassion, and
respect for the LGBT
community. The onus can’t
be solely on us.
I’ve always felt that the most
inclusive communities I’ve
been a part of are the ones in
which allies have a visible
and vocal presence.
What is the Workplace Ally
Challenge?
The Workplace Ally Challenge challenges firms to build or grow ally initiatives
that activate as many employees as possible over the calendar year.
Workplace Ally Challenge
9 months. 15 companies.
Who will build the most LGBT-friendly office culture?
For the first time, companies have the opportunity to evaluate and be
recognized for their progress in creating inclusive workplaces,
not just in policy but in practice.
2014 participants included
8 Fortune 500 companies from New York to Omaha
Collective impact:
• 69 events and campaigns
• 2,000 employees activated as allies
• 50% more colleagues speaking up about LGBT issues at work
What’s in it for your
company?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Access to ally engagement resources and expertise
Ability to benchmark performance against other companies
Network of information sharing and peer support
A critical mass of employees speaking up and demonstrating
culture competence about LGBT issues
5. A workplace where all LGBT employees feel comfortable
bringing their full selves to work
Inclusive workplaces are more engaged, productive, and
innovative. Employees stay longer and their firms see
better business results.
Results you can expect
The 2014 Challenge participants saw the following results:
Participation
Awareness
Culture
5-20% of employees at
participating offices
20% higher awareness
about LGBT issues
50% more employees
speaking up about
LGBT issues at work
The Workplace Ally Challenge has
been featured in The Huffington
Post, LGBT Weekly, Affinity Inc.
Magazine, and other national and
local publications.
“We were able to engage 15% of the
staff in our corporate HQ (over 600
people) and garner support for a Pride
float for the first time. We can feel the
difference this outpouring of support
has made to the company culture.”
– Challenge participant
How it works
Challenge process
1.
Kickoff
leader
training
2.
Administer
baseline
survey
3.
Develop
action plan
4.
Implement
planned
activities
5.
6.
Attend
Report
quarterly
activities &
peer check- participation
in calls
7.
Administer
post-survey
8.
Earn
program
status &
awards
Timeline
The 2015 Challenge will run from January to September 2015. Awards will be presented
at the annual Ally Challenge Awards Dinner in October.
Resources provided
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
In-depth leader training
Survey deployment, analysis, & diagnostic report
Action planning templates
Library of over 80 activity ideas
Training decks, fact sheets, & educational materials
Bimonthly peer check-in calls
On-demand troubleshooting
How it works
Awards are determined on an equal weighting of 3 metrics:
Membership
Activities
Outcomes
% of employees from each
participating office who
take part in at least one
activity
Number of ally-related
activities reported
Scores on pre and post
surveys measuring
workplace inclusiveness
Additionally, companies achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold status when
they achieve the below milestones:
Status
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Membership
5% of office
10% of office
25% of office
3+
6+
9+
Activities
Companies with multiple participating offices will be evaluated on the % of employees who take part from all
participating offices.
Participation options
Companies can participate at one of 3 levels:
1.
Pilot Program
All the resources, none of the risk: company takes part in all activities and evaluations,
but is not ranked or publicly listed as a participant. A good option for companies just
getting their ally engagement initiatives started.
Registration: $1,000
2.
Standard Participant
All the resources, all the glory. Company participates in all activities, receives name and
logo recognition in press releases and communications, and is eligible to receive
program status and awards. A good option for companies with established ally
initiatives.
Registration: $1,000
3.
Trendsetter
Taking the road to greatness. Company participates publicly, is eligible for program
status and awards, and receives additional tailored training and program development
services. Best for companies looking to take their inclusion commitment to the next
level.
Registration: $5,000+ (dependent on additional services)
Register to participate
www.friendfactor.org/workplace-ally-challenge-registration
Firms may register as one entity or separately by office/site.
25% early bird discount available for all participant types through Oct 31, 2014.
Questions? info@friendfactor.org