Jo Mc Parland (She/Her) is Cara-Friend’s Education and Training Manager. In this role she
emphasises the importance of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I) within the workplace
and embedding practices that will benefit all staff and any organisation. Jo has developed
the LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter which is the most comprehensive tool available to
organisations in Northern Ireland, enabling these businesses to develop knowledge and
understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Along with the LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter, Jo has also developed the LGBTQIA+
Inclusive Schools’ Charter which has been a runaway success. Over the past 7 years, the
Education and Training team (Jo and Gemma Kelly, Education and Training Officer) have
delivered Cara-Friend’s ‘All Out’ Anti-bullying workshop to 25,000 post-primary school
pupils and to 8,000 teachers and staff in educational environments ranging from primary
schools to universities.
Jo has employed the assistance of professional business volunteers such as Odhran Devlin
from Citi and Gill Warwick from Pinsent Masons to help deliver the ‘All Out’ Anti-Bullying
workshop. “The benefit of having business leaders engaging with pupils is that they can aid
young people in their understanding of the importance of inclusivity, and that prejudice and
discrimination are not tolerated within a work setting.” Jo goes onto say, “queerphobic
bullying, including language and behaviour which some pupils are exposed to within
education is really shocking. Employers must be aware, as young people move out of
education and into the business world, that it is their responsibility to actively promote a
safe, welcoming and inclusive working environment for all.”
The LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter focuses on developing knowledge of the
challenges that impact the LGBTQIA+ community, increasing understanding of key
terminology, developing inclusive and forward-thinking policies and procedures. It is also about educating staff at all levels, effectively understanding current inclusion legislation and most importantly how to be more inclusive within a working environment. Respect and inclusion must be the driving ethos at the heart of all businesses.
It is also important that the business community feels supported and can ask questions and
receive guidance with regards to the LGBTQIA+ community. The most important thing is that these questions are asked. Jo explains, “sometimes an air of silence exists within organisations because people are just afraid of saying the wrong thing. It is therefore essential to educate staff.” Jo continues, “being able to be your authentic self at work is crucial and if employers don’t say anything positive in relation to the LGBTQIA+ community, how can people know they are welcome and safe within a business environment?” An integral element of the LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter is Jo’s availability in a consultative role to answer queries and offer support to individuals and employers who seek further insight and support.
A focus of all businesses should be the enabling of a confident, motivated and empowered workforce. DE&I is an integral part of achieving this. Cara-Friend, through the LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter, will help businesses develop a better knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. Jo concludes, “the challenge has been set, employers must be promoting an inclusive and safe working environment for all.
My expertise is there to help them on that journey. I very much look forward to working with local businesses and individuals who wish to implement and champion positive change.”
