Affinity group launched by Ricoh UK to encourage allyship for its LGBTQ+ employees

Ricoh UK, Wednesday 1 June 2022 - This week Ricoh UK launched an affinity group for employees belonging to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. 

LGBTQ+ is the third affinity group launched by Ricoh UK this year, with the first two focused on ethnicity and gender, and its aim is to:

• Foster deeper connections and sense of belonging in the workplace
• Understand the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and share ideas on how everyone can be an ally 
• Review the inclusion data at Ricoh UK and identify any potential blockers, for example in recruitment and career progression
• Review policies across the business to be inclusive to all family make ups
• Provide additional developmental and mentoring opportunities

The affinity group initiative is a voluntary, employee-led programme, open to everyone who would like to become a member. The groups act as open forums for employees to meet and discuss issues and challenges surrounding shared identities, experiences and beliefs as well as ideas and policies. Policy ideas and suggestions are communicated to the company’s leadership via the Executive Sponsor for each focus area – these are: Chas Moloney (LGBTQ+), Glenn Griggs (gender) and Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar (ethnicity). 

Chas Moloney, Director of Customer Engagement and Strategic Campaigns, commented: ‘Being successful at Ricoh doesn’t look a certain way. We are determined to continue building a culture where everyone has a space to be themselves and bring their full identity to work. I’d like to encourage all my colleagues to contribute their views and ideas on how we progress diversity and inclusivity within Ricoh, and address issues that matter to them.’ He continued: ‘From a personal experience of someone very close to me, I know how important it is to be able to fully embrace who you are. Pride month is a great opportunity to challenge ourselves to learn more, but being an ally is something that we need to do every day of the year.’