How a BPO-based Resource Group is Creating Inclusive Spaces for Gender Expression

TELUS International Philippines embraced and celebrated Diversity and Inclusiveness in the workplace before many others. The company has active employee resource groups that highlight opportunities for more inclusive decision making across the leadership community; and one of those groups is Spectrum Philippines. Its very own LGBTQIA+ resource group that encourages leaders and all team members to embrace gender diversity programs, and ensure the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community are considered in workplace programs like benefits, recruitment activities, and facilities.

As one of the country’s leading customer experience and business process solutions companies, TELUS International Philippines has six sites across Metro Manila.

As a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to inclusiveness, Spectrum, since its inception in 2014, has provided team members from the LGBTQIA+ community a platform to make the workplace culture more accepting, and the benefits and facilities more inclusive. Through the years, the group has become a venue for a healthy exchange of ideas and knowledge that enables team members to feel more comfortable and at home within the company. Spectrum Philippines currently has 867 members.

A recent study by the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce shows that BPO companies are at the forefront of creating gender-diverse workplaces in the country. For the last five years, TELUS International Philippines has set the benchmark in ensuring safe and thriving spaces for the LGBTQI+ and in developing allies in a highly welcoming environment.

Spectrum Philippines co-chair Bogs Orial, who has been with TELUS International Philippines for 15 years, has seen how the company has evolved into a sanctuary for gender diversity. “We know we are heading in the right direction when our team members can come to work as their true, full selves. Without fear of being judged or discriminated, our team members are inspired to be better in what they do,” says Orial.

Breaking down archaic office practices

To members of the LGBTQIA+ community, apart from dealing with outright discrimination, workplace practices like dress codes which do not take into consideration employees’ gender identity, the use of gender-specific bathrooms, and filling up administrative forms can present challenges that they must hurdle each day.

“I remember what it was like to work in a place where my colleagues were issued memos for what they were wearing. They had to cover themselves with big blankets or jackets inside the office. Some of our officemates would complain about sharing the washroom with our transgender colleague,” Orial recalls. “These are common experiences for us who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

TELUS International Philippines has become one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly workplaces and most dedicated to HIV awareness and prevention, earning them awards consistently from gender advocate groups like the Love Yourself Foundation. The company has demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity through actions like the expanding health benefits to domestic and same sex partners, as well as the improvements of office facilities that includes gender neutral, self-identified male and female washrooms across all sites.

Through these simple changes, day to day experiences of TELUS International Philippines team members have immensely improved, leading to a more comfortable and welcoming office environment. These changes made it easier for heterosexuals to become allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, sharing their principles, and building greater workplace harmony.

Joining the yearly Metro Manila Pride March and Parade is one of the most anticipated activities of Spectrum Philippines. This is a one-day event where they go all out in showing their support for the LGBTQIA+ community, together with hundreds of team members and various organizations. This year, over 600 TELUS International Philippines team members participated and expressed unity and solidarity on advocating against violence, discrimination, and equality of rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.

These activities have greatly impacted the company’s talent retention and acquisition. In 2018, the company’s annual internal survey, Pulsecheck 2018, showed a 93% rating in diversity and inclusiveness. This demonstrates that team members are happy about the efforts of TELUS International Philippines and proud to belong to a company that prioritizes, not just tolerates, diversity.

TELUS International Philippines continues to contribute and collaborate with the industry to continue the conversation and create long-term impact to the LGBTQIA+ community. They actively engage with other organizations like Project Red Ribbon and the Canadian Embassy to champion the advocacy outside of the company.