Thammasat Business School (TBS) has taken an initiative to advocate diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the Thai business sector with the launch of “LGBT Inclusive Workplace: A Practical Training for Employers and HR Professionals”.
The new course is aimed at reducing stigma, work barriers, and supporting development approach in human potential and increasing organizational efficiency.
“This course will teach you to learn that everyone is equal and people should not be discriminated against because they have different sexual identities. All genders should be accepted and this is a fundamental right,” said Associate Professor Dr. Ruth Banomyong, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University.
According to a study by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2018-2019* on the experiences and stigma facing LGBT people in Thailand, it’s found that though Thailand has a history and a global reputation for tolerance, in reality the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are limited by stigma and discrimination.
Negative beliefs and attitudes about LGBT people prevent them from reaching their full potential as workers, students and members of society.
The study* was one of the largest national surveys to examine the experience of and social attitudes towards LGBT people.
Overall, 2,210 participants took part in the study. Respondents ranged in age from 18-59. The study also included qualitative data from 12 focus group discussions with 93 people in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Pattani.
There are two forms of this discrimination: formal and informal, according to the findings. The “Formal” discrimination can be found in work conditions, such as the recruitment process, unequal compensation, and dismissal to rejection of promotion through sexual orientation, identity or expression.
The discrimination in the “informal” form is found in a workplace environment, such as being bullied and mistreated by a supervisor or coworker.
“LGBT Inclusive Workplace: A Practical Training for Employers and HR Professionals” has been designed in accordance with a series of research and hands-on experience in human resource development to meet the needs of modern organizations that want to keep pace with the changes in a global society that emphasizes human rights, equality, and non-discrimination due to differences in sexual identities.
The course, in Thai, is geared forward to linking the understanding of gender diversity and the science of personnel management for business owners, senior executives of the private sector, the public sector, and professionals working in human resource management, and those interested in the field of HR development including personnel working in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights areas.
“LGBT Inclusive Workplace: A Practical Training for Employers and HR Professionals” is one of the faculty’s intensive programs operated by the Consulting Networking and Coaching Center (CONC Thammasat).
The course will answer the following needs:
- To provide the participants with knowledge and gain the ideas on talent management regarding LGBT employees.
- To give the trainees the opportunity to practice decision-making, problem solving and develop abilities in managing diversity and inclusion in their organizations.
- To increase knowledge, expand perspectives, and acknowledge theories, including new directions in Human Resource Management issues in relation to sexual diversity and workforce.
- To allow participants to exchange knowledge and experience. between the speakers and among the participants.
- To provide the participants with up-to-date knowledge and ideas for the organization’s development and enhance their professionalism as well as their organizations
“LGBT Inclusive Workplace: A Practical Training for Employers and HR Professionals” program now opens for registration. It will be conducted on Thursday, November 26, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Thammasat Building 60 years, Thammasat University, Tha Prachan.
Course details: conc.tbs.tu.ac.th/index.php/program/detailenrollment/567
Facebook: www.facebook.com/conc.thammasat
*The report by UNDP 2019: “Tolerance but not Inclusion: A national survey on experiences of discrimination and social attitudes towards LGBT people in Thailand”
As one of the best and most up-to-date management-and-business courses, LGBT and Human Resource Management intends to connect what’s happening in the real world and what’s not happening in the business world. I’m really looking forward to it.