Addressing safeguarding risks for LGBTQ+ individuals in procurement involves recognising the unique vulnerabilities they may face and implementing measures to mitigate these risks. Here are several key areas to consider:
Discrimination and Harrassment
Confidentiality and Privacy
Risk: LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination or harassment from suppliers, contractors, or even within the procurement team.
Mitigation: Ensure non-discrimination policies are in place and enforced throughout the procurement process. Include anti-discrimination clauses in contracts and provide training on LGBTQ+ sensitivity and inclusivity.
Risk: Inadequate handling of personal data can lead to the outing of LGBTQ+ individuals, exposing them to potential harm.
Mitigation: Implement strict data protection measures to safeguard personal information. Limit the collection of sensitive data and ensure it is stored securely.
Supplier Diversity
Inclusive Procurement Practices
Risk: A lack of diverse suppliers can perpetuate environments that are not inclusive or safe for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Mitigation: Promote and prioritize working with suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Develop supplier diversity programs to encourage LGBTQ+ owned businesses.
Risk: Procurement processes may inadvertently exclude LGBTQ+ individuals or businesses, leading to inequitable opportunities.
Mitigation: Review and adjust procurement policies to ensure they are inclusive. Remove any biased criteria that could disadvantage LGBTQ+ suppliers or employees.
Cultural Competency
Monitoring and Reporting
Risk: Lack of understanding and awareness about LGBTQ+ issues among procurement staff and suppliers can result in unintentional discrimination or exclusion.
Mitigation: Provide regular training and education on LGBTQ+ issues and cultural competency. Foster an inclusive organisational culture that values diversity.
Risk: Without proper oversight, discriminatory practices can go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Mitigation: Establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track compliance with non-discrimination policies. Encourage reporting of any incidents of discrimination or harassment and ensure there are clear procedures for addressing them.
Supportive Environment
Legal Compliance
Risk: LGBTQ+ individuals may feel isolated or unsupported within the procurement process.
Mitigation: Create a supportive environment by establishing LGBTQ+ networks or support groups within the organisation. Promote an open and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued.
Risk: Non-compliance with local and international laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights can lead to legal repercussions and reputational damage.
Mitigation: Stay informed about relevant laws and regulations regarding LGBTQ+ rights in all regions where procurement activities take place. Ensure all contracts and practices comply with these laws.
Why address these risks?
By addressing these safeguarding risks, organisations can create a procurement process that is not only fair and equitable but also supportive and inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Camden Council has announced it will begin checking the LGBTQ+ credentials of businesses when issuing contracts. Click below to find out more.
Camden Council ArticleCIPS is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) in procurement. They have partnered with Vodafone to discuss LGBT+ and ED&I in the profession.
Find out moreTakeaway discussions:
- How do you safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals in your procurement processes?
Where do you identify Fundamental British Values within these articles?
Discrimination and Harrassment
Risk: LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination or harassment from suppliers, contractors, or even within the procurement team.
Mitigation: Ensure non-discrimination policies are in place and enforced throughout the procurement process. Include anti-discrimination clauses in contracts and provide training on LGBTQ+ sensitivity and inclusivity.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Risk: Inadequate handling of personal data can lead to the outing of LGBTQ+ individuals, exposing them to potential harm.
Mitigation: Implement strict data protection measures to safeguard personal information. Limit the collection of sensitive data and ensure it is stored securely.
Supplier Diversity
Risk: A lack of diverse suppliers can perpetuate environments that are not inclusive or safe for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Mitigation: Promote and prioritize working with suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Develop supplier diversity programs to encourage LGBTQ+ owned businesses.
Inclusive Procurement Practices
Risk: Procurement processes may inadvertently exclude LGBTQ+ individuals or businesses, leading to inequitable opportunities.
Mitigation: Review and adjust procurement policies to ensure they are inclusive. Remove any biased criteria that could disadvantage LGBTQ+ suppliers or employees.
Cultural Competency
Risk: Lack of understanding and awareness about LGBTQ+ issues among procurement staff and suppliers can result in unintentional discrimination or exclusion.
Mitigation: Provide regular training and education on LGBTQ+ issues and cultural competency. Foster an inclusive organisational culture that values diversity.
Monitoring and Reporting
Risk: Without proper oversight, discriminatory practices can go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Mitigation: Establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track compliance with non-discrimination policies. Encourage reporting of any incidents of discrimination or harassment and ensure there are clear procedures for addressing them.
Supportive Environment
Risk: LGBTQ+ individuals may feel isolated or unsupported within the procurement process.
Mitigation: Create a supportive environment by establishing LGBTQ+ networks or support groups within the organisation. Promote an open and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued.
Legal Compliance
Risk: Non-compliance with local and international laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights can lead to legal repercussions and reputational damage.
Mitigation: Stay informed about relevant laws and regulations regarding LGBTQ+ rights in all regions where procurement activities take place. Ensure all contracts and practices comply with these laws.
By addressing these safeguarding risks, organisations can create a procurement process that is not only fair and equitable but also supportive and inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Camden Council's LGBTQ+ supplier check
Camden Council has announced it will begin checking the LGBTQ+ credentials of businesses when issuing contracts. Click here to find out more.
CIPS and Vodafone unite to discuss LGBTQ+
CIPS is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) in procurement. They have partnered with Vodafone to discuss LGBT+ and ED&I in the profession. Find out more here.
Takeaway discussions...
- How do you safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals in your procurement processes?
Where do you identify Fundamental British Values within these articles?
