Trinity College Dublin has received a Special Recognition Award for its Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy at the 2015 Workplace Equality Index Awards.
The Workplace Equality Index is an initiative by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) to measure the level of LGBT inclusion in Irish workplaces. According to GLEN’s website, the aim of the Index is to “push top performers to new heights” and to “provide a new framework for thought and action for participating employers at the start of their journey.” The awards were held on September 22nd in the Westin Hotel.
The College’s Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy, launched in March 2015, is the first of its kind in an Irish third level institution. The Policy covers a range of issues related to gender identity and gender expression, including provisions to protect trans* students and staff from their trans* identity being disclosed without permission, as well as creating procedures by which a student may update their personal records to match their gender identity.
It was recognised by the Workplace Equality Index Awards as an example of best practice and a model for policy development for Irish employers and institution. Speaking to The University Times via email, Aoife Crawford, College’s incoming Equality Officer, noted that the Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy is “ground-breaking amongst Irish employers.” She also explained that the policy “reinforces Trinity’s commitment to the recognition and support of every individual’s gender identity and their expression of that identity”.
The Special Recognition award was accepted on behalf of College by Mr Tony McMahon, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Trinity, and Prof. Martine Cuypers, a member of the Equality Committee. In an email to The University Times, Prof. Cuypers commented that she is “delighted that Trinity has received recognition for its Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy in a field which was otherwise dominated by large international companies operating in Ireland.”
This September marks the first annual Workplace Equality Index Awards, which intend to celebrate the top achievers in the field as highlighted by the Index. In a press release, GLEN’s Co-Chair Kieran Rose explained that the Awards were created to recognise companies and executives that are creating a “business culture in Ireland that values the skills, ideas and creativity that LGBT people bring to the workplace”.
In an email statement to The University Times, GLEN’s Workplace Diversity Programme Officer Eimear Noelle O’Reilly congratulated College for its commitment to trans* inclusion, saying that “Trinity College Dublin is a role model in Ireland for other organisations, particularly universities and public sector bodies, seeking to ensure the full inclusion and participation of trans people in the workplace”.
Prof Cuypers explained that “the broad consultation process that led to the policy was indicative of the strong commitment of all offices, services, students and staff in Trinity to diversity and inclusion’ and highlighted that the Policy was adopted with a “clear implementation plan and budget to facilitate awareness raising and training of key staff.” While the policy launched amid concerns about the lack of concrete plans for implementation and training, this academic year has seen the addition of two-hour training sessions run by the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) to the training of all new college tutors, and all college tutors are expected to receive training by the end of the year.
Ms Crawford, who will begin work with the Equality Office on September 28th, stated that College is “committed to supporting LGBT inclusion and ensuring that all members of our community experience an environment of dignity and respect in which they can develop their full potential.” She also signalled the intention of the Equality office to continue working with GLEN and other LGBT organisations to “improve as an inclusive institution.” Ms Crawford encouraged all staff and students to familiarise themselves with the Policy to allow for full support of trans* individuals throughout the College community.
Trinity College Dublin was the only public institution to receive an award, while large companies such as Microsoft and IBM filled the shortlists and the auditing firm Ernst & Young cleaned up on the night. Ernst & Young and its employees took home the titles of Employer of the Year, Ally of the Year and LGBT Inclusion Champion of the Year, while their LGBT employee network Unity claimed the prize for LGBT Employee Network of the Year.
