Airbnb has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as a top place to work for LGBTQ+ equality, scoring 100 percent on the organization’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI).
The vacation rental company, which is based in San Francisco, has received this designation for the seventh year in a row, joining the ranks of over 840 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
- Supporting an inclusive culture
- Corporate social responsibility
"When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers — from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns — could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically. We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere." —Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training
In a press release, Airbnb reconfirmed its commitment to creating a "diverse, inclusive and equitable company for everyone. We continue working hard to find ways to support our LGBTQ+ employees."
A Focus On Trans and GNC Employees
Last year, Airbnb employee resource groups Trans@ and AirPride, shared a Guide for LTGBTQ+ Allyship with its employees to "deepen our collective understanding of gender diversity, and the ways we can act in stronger allyship towards the LGBTQ+ community."
"We are so proud and thankful for the hard work of the AirPride and Trans@ employee resource groups and for their dedication to making Airbnb a great place to work for LGBTQ+ employees. AirPride’s mission is to celebrate the diversity of gender identity and sexual orientation and empower Airbnb to be a positive force for both its own LGBTQ+ employees and the world. The mission of Trans@ is to support trans and gender non-conforming employees and advocate for improvements to Airbnb that will benefit the trans community," the company stated.
Minority Allyship
Along with supporting its diverse employees, Airbnb is committed to partnering with companies owned by minorities, women, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities through Airbnb's dedicated Supplier Diversity program.
"In 2020, we exceeded our goal of 10 percent US spend with diverse suppliers, and in 2021, we added the goal that 20 percent of businesses in our US supply chain will be diverse as of 2025. As of August 2021, 13.5 percent of businesses in our US supply chain are owned by minorities, women, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities," states the release.
Connecting 50 Years of Pride | Airbnb youtu.be
Pride Tactic
To help guests mark a year of Pride celebrations unlike any other, Airbnb curated a special wishlist, featuring stays and experiences in top trending US destinations. The Celebrate Pride from around the world wishlist is a collection of natural retreats and outdoor experiences (including those led by local LGBTQ+ communities) where guests can disconnect as they reconnect with friends and loved ones.
LGBTQ+ workers have the same workplace rights that other groups have thanks to recent rulings by the Supreme Court.
If you’ve an LGBTQ+ community member that is being victimized or discriminated against at work you don’t have to suffer in silence. You have a Federal legal right to file a complaint against your employer for discrimination. The Supreme Court has expanded the original protections for workers in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act so that LGBTQ+ people are also now covered under those protections. That means that it’s a violation of Federal law for your employer to discriminate against you.
If you’ve been experiencing discrimination or harassment at work because you are LGBTQ+ you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC is a Federal agency that operates in every state. The EEOC has an agreement to share information with 44 states as well. That means if you live in one of those 44 states and you file a complaint against an employer the labor authorities in your state will receive a copy of that complaint. They will use that complaint to start a state investigation of your employer.
Examples Of Workplace Discrimination
A few of the many ways that LGBTQ+ are discriminated against in the workplace include:
Targeted Bullying or Harassment
Bullying and harassment are the most common types of discrimination that people face at work. And while your coworkers or bosses might tell you that you’re being too sensitive or overreacting to their “jokes” you are absolutely not. They are behaving illegally. You do not have to put up with any kind of mistreatment at work. Try to get evidence of any bullying or harassment that you experience like screenshots of chats or instant messages, copies of emails, photos of texts and so on. They will make your case against your employer stronger.
Not Getting Raises Or Promotions
If you are not getting regular raises or if you are being denied the opportunity to promote that is discrimination. You must get the same raises as others and be given the chance to promote if others with similar backgrounds are given those things.
Dress Code Restrictions
Your workplace may not reinforce gender stereotypes through a dress code. That means that they can’t require women to only wear skirts or require women to wear makeup. They also can’t dictate how you may cut your hair. Dress code restrictions based on gender are discrimination.
Filing A Workplace Discrimination Claim
Before you file a claim with the EEOC it’s always a good idea to meet with your boss and your HR rep. They might not know what you’ve been experiencing at work. When you meet with them bring a list of all the times you’ve been discriminated against and copies of any evidence or documentation that you have. If your boss and the HR rep don’t say that they support you and will immediately take action to stop the discrimination then go to the EEOC’s website where you can file a complaint.
In Arizona, you can file a discrimination complaint with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. When you file a discrimination complaint on the state level in Arizona, it will be dual filed with the EEOC, that way you don’t have to file two complaints.
Remedies For Harassment And Discrimination
Employees who are victims of discrimination by an employer may receive big financial awards. You could receive money for pain and suffering or money for last wages if you were denied promotions or raises.
Useful Resources
https://www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/prove-gender-discrimination-workplace
https://www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/gender/lgbtq-discrimination-complaint-letter
Your job can help you pay the bills but offer nothing more. In the short term, your job may be tolerable. But an unfulfilling job can have long-lasting effects on your overall health and wellbeing. It can even make you feel lost at times, to the point where you question yourself, who you are, and what you want to accomplish.
If you feel lost in life, take a step back. At this time, focus on self-care and do what's necessary to feel your best once again. It may also be a good time to consider new career opportunities.
The longer you wait to leave a job you don't like, the more lost you may start to feel. However, by focusing on yourself, you can figure out what's most important to you. From here, you can find your calling and take appropriate steps to build the life you want. And you can discover a career path that suits you well today, tomorrow, and long into the future.
Ultimately, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the right career path. Yet there are several things you can do to narrow your career focus.
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Prioritize Job Satisfaction
Put job satisfaction front and center. To do so, find a job that is both challenging and rewarding. This requires you to evaluate what you have liked and disliked about past jobs. It also involves looking at what you want to accomplish in your career.
Oftentimes, it helps to make a list of your job interests and aspirations. Next, you can identify your ideal job. You can then make a plan to search for jobs and find one that aligns with your expectations.
As you meet with prospective employers, ask them about their work culture. This allows you to learn about the company's commitment to its personnel and how it engages with its staff. It can provide you with a glimpse into whether the business values equality, diversity, and inclusion as well.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Consider Remote Work Opportunities
In addition to finding a fulfilling job, keep an eye out for remote work opportunities. A remote job gives you the flexibility to work from home. In doing so, a remote job lets you avoid commuting to work. It can even help you reduce your carbon footprint.
If you are interested in working remotely, find out how prospective employers view it. Businesses offer remote work opportunities in a variety of industries. Some companies are planning to make remote work permanent. Others intend to shift to a hybrid model or require employees to work on-site after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ends.
Also, find out how a company supports its remote staff. For instance, many companies provide laptops and other equipment to ensure remote employees can thrive. Furthermore, they often leverage remote communication and collaboration tools to help remote staff stay connected.
Learn how a business promotes self-care to remote employees, too. The top businesses prioritize a healthy work-life balance for remote staff. These businesses provide educational tools and resources to teach remote employees about the importance of physical and mental wellness. They encourage remote workers to seek out medical aid as needed.
woman in green jacket raising her hands
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Leave Your Job on a Positive Note
Resist the urge to quit your current job right away. Remember, a job is important, but it is secondary to your overall health. You can always pursue a new job, but it is paramount to avoid burning bridges along the way. Thus, if you feel burned out and exhausted in your job, take appropriate steps to resign and reenter the job market.
For those who are ready to quit their job, meet with your manager. Tell your manager how you feel about your job. You and your manager can then work together to find solutions.
If you reach a point where you no longer want to work in your current role, submit a resignation letter. Include information about your intent to resign, your last day at your company, and your transition plan. Don't forget to thank your employer for the opportunity, either.
Typically, it helps to give your employer at least a few weeks of notice about your resignation. In the weeks to follow, you can help your employer prepare for your departure. You can also close out your relationship with your employer on a positive note.
After you leave your job, you may start to feel a sense of relief. And you can take solace in the fact that you did everything in your power to set yourself and your now-former employer up to succeed.
Move Forward in Your Career
When it comes to your career, there is no need to settle for anything less than exceptional. Your career is a part of who you are. So it is crucial to find a career path that motivates and inspires you.
If your job makes you feel lost in life, pursue a new career path. You can then decide what you want to accomplish in your career and the steps you'll need to complete to achieve your career aspirations.
Chad and Mike Walton decided to leave their lives living in the big city to follow their dreams. They found a unique property in the heart of the charming town of Hermann, Missouri which is located in the beautiful Missouri River Valley. They soon opened the property as a true bed and breakfast which they aptly named Old Vine.
When asked why they were interested in Herman and what drew them to this unique area, they said, “After visiting vineyards around the country, we dreamed of one day living in a wine country area. During the pandemic, we started visiting Hermann from our home in St Louis more and more. The opportunity arose to open our own business with Old Vine and rather than wait for retirement, which was the original plan, we took a leap of faith and jumped in.”
For Chad, a retail customer service manager, and Mike, an elementary teacher, was a new challenge. The idea of owning and running a bed and breakfast was a common dream for the two of them. When the property they now own came on the market, they embraced the opportunity and embarked on an incredible journey.
“Running a B&B has been a completely new experience for us, but that doesn’t mean we jumped in blind,” they told OUTvoices. They both have many years of experience in business management, customer service, and travel. “We have been able to bring a fresh perspective based on what we liked and disliked from our own travels. Old Vine is like a greatest hit from the places we have visited.”
The Old Vine is centrally located in Hermann and is within walking distance to many wineries and distilleries, restaurants, boutiques, and the Amtrak station. They also have an outdoor pavilion which can be used by guests and has seating for 18.
Mike Walton said, “The tourism business in Hermann has been growing in leaps and bounds. We want to offer our guests an indulgent experience in a town filled with friendly folks and wine.”
The Old Vine is available on both airbnb and vrbo. Check out the property at www.oldvinebnb.com or call them at 636-231-5625. They can also be reached at oldvinebnb@gmail.com.