Brakes has announced its most ambitious Pride programme, as the annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is well underway.
Leading the campaign is the launch of a network of support champions in every site across Sysco GB, including Brakes and Sysco Speciality Group, which is beimg delivered through the organisation’s Spectrum programme, which was created to support LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Every Brakes’ site has a stand offering advice to Brakes’ colleagues, with Spectrum members on hand to answer questions.
Demonstrating its commitment to driving long-term understanding of the issues and needs of the LGBTQ+ community, Brakes Learning and Development team has developed an on-demand training course to help lines managers to better understand the specific needs of LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Brakes has also changed its social media logos, not just for June, but for the whole of the coming year to highlight the ongoing need to support diversity and inclusion both within its business and across the country as a whole.
In addition, the Aylesford depot has joined the company’s head office in Ashford by painting a ‘Pride’ pedestrian crossing (pictured) as a permanent reminder of the importance of recognising and embracing diversity.
Alvin Engutsamy, Chair of the Spectrum group at Brakes, said, “We are very proud of the work that our Spectrum team does in raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues at Brakes. Our Pride programme will ensure that, across the business, our colleagues can access the support and information that they need.
'We hope that the work we do will inspire companies across the sector to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Also, Brakes joined together with other Sysco companies yesterday to take part in Sysco’s Global Pride Day, as it celebrates the importance of diversity across the world.
Margaret Gooch, Sysco GB HR Director, remarked, “Having a diverse and engaged workforce is incredibly important to our business and we recognise how important it is to show support not just in June, but across the entire year.
'We are very pleased to be launching new initiatives, including training and development opportunities that will make a lasting contribution to how diversity is viewed within Brakes.
As part of its programme, Brakes will be fundraising for ATK, which supports displaced LGBTQ+ young people, providing safe homes and a better future.