Employees on Pride and diversity

June is Pride month, and at Omega 365, we are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive global workplace. Meet five Omega 365 employees from five different locations, and get to know their thoughts on Pride and diversity.

Gerald Soh Yi De

Gerald Soh Yi De is a Deputy General Manager at Omega 365 Singapore, working at Omega 365's office in Singapore.

Do you celebrate Pride or participate in any Pride-related activities or events? 

While Singapore maintains a somewhat conservative stance on this matter, it is worth noting that the Pink Dot event exists in the country to commemorate Pride Day. This event encourages participants to don pink attire as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBT community. Although I haven't personally attended the event, I have the privilege of having close friends who identify as LGBT, and I can attest to their wonderful and amiable nature. 

In your opinion, why is it important for companies to show support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights? 

In light of Singapore's commitment to embracing diversity, it is imperative for our company to prioritize inclusivity. We must strive to create a safe and comfortable working environment that provides equal opportunities for everyone to thrive. Rather than discriminating against individuals based on personal preferences, our focus should be on assessing their professional capabilities. 

How can workplaces ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their background, identities, or abilities? 

I strongly advocate for a culture of respect, where we value every individual. By engaging in meaningful dialogues and spending quality time with our colleagues, particularly during shared meals, we can foster genuine connections. It is essential to seek a deeper understanding of others as individuals, moving beyond mere judgments or relying on hearsay. By adopting an open mindset, we can establish lasting friendships that extend far beyond the confines of our workplace.

Jessica Kimbrell

Jessica Kimbrell is a Pims Project Controls Specialist at Omega 365 USA, working from Omega 365's office in Houston. Instead of sharing a picture of herself, she wanted to showcase her dog, Arthur, wearing a Pride bow-tie.

Do you celebrate Pride or participate in any Pride-related activities or events? 

Absolutely! I didn’t really come to understand my own queer identity till I was well into adulthood. The first time I went to Pride, I’d never seen so many people like me from so many different backgrounds, and I hope I can be a part of that for someone else. My wife and I will be attending the Astros Pride night and the Houston Pride parade for sure. 

In your opinion, why is it important for companies to show support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights? 

Celebrating Pride is about creating an environment in line with Omega’s core values--open and accepting. It seems like that should be the default culture, but it’s not. In 2023 alone, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed in statehouses across the United States, many of them aimed at restricting trans and gender non-conforming people from participating in public life. Especially now, more than ever, it’s important to show employees AND clients they are welcome, not despite their identity, but because of it. 

How can workplaces ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their background, identities, or abilities? 

Visibility matters. It seems like a very small gesture, but the first time I saw the Omega logo with a Pride background, I teared up a little because I knew that I didn’t need to be afraid to be who I am. I think highlighting Omega’s diversity in a respectful way is a great approach to making employees feel valued and understood. I grew up in a small, mostly white Texas town, where everyone knew everyone and experienced the same things every day, but when I was thirteen, I moved to Venezuela, where I didn’t speak the language and didn’t look like anyone else. It changed how I think about the world and how I interact with others because it challenged the paradigm I grew up with. Exposure to new experiences is how we grow.

Fredrik Høvik Sørøy

Fredrik Høvik Sørøy is a Software Developer at Omega 365 Solutions, based in Omega 365's Kristiansund office.

Do you celebrate Pride or participate in any Pride-related activities or events? 

No, I don’t personally attend any pride related events.

In your opinion, why is it important for companies to show support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights? 

It is important to show that everyone is accepted, appreciated, and can be themselves. 

How can workplaces ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their background, identities or abilities? 
In my opinion, the best approach is to always remember that everyone is a person, and we should strive to create a harmonious environment that enhances the comfort of all individuals in the workplace. It is important to treat everyone with a baseline level of respect.

Ida Herabakka

Ida Herabakka is a Software Developer at Omega 365 Solutions, working from Omega 365's office in Bergen.

Do you celebrate Pride or participate in any Pride-related activities or events?

I have not participated in any Pride-related activities or events yet.

In your opinion, why is it important for companies to show support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights?

In order to generate the best ideas, we need diversity. When companies support diversity, it can create a positive and trusting environment among employees, which is essential for achieving optimal performance.

How can workplaces ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their background, identities or abilities?
Gender and identity should not have any impact on hiring, salary, or career advancement. What matters is evaluating an individual's qualities and capabilities. A workplace should be a safe space where people can openly express their identity.

Giovanni Di Noto

Giovanni Di Noto is a Senior Software QA Engineer at Omega 365 Lithuania, based at Omega 365's office in Klaipėda.

Do you celebrate Pride or participate in any Pride-related activities or events? 
We have not yet been approached or proactively explored any Pride-related events or activities that we would like to be involved in. However, we will investigate these opportunities in due course. At the moment, we are unaware of any specific challenges in this area. Nonetheless, we have taken steps to establish suitable governance rules and implement anti-discrimination best practices in all our internal and external interactions with individuals, such as potential candidates for roles or trainees.

In your opinion, why is it important for companies to show support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights? 

Omega 365 strives to comply at all times with internationally recognized fundamental human rights as part of its Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Goals principles. Therefore, Omega 365 does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, physical or mental health condition, sexual preferences, or any other attributes.

How can workplaces ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their background, identities or abilities? 

Workplaces can ensure all employees feel included and valued with clear public inclusive and affirmative policies, code of conduct, whistle-blowing and support line channels, tailored training, detailed attention to outstanding communication skills, active participation to inquiries by policy-makers on such governance matters by way of white paper, recommendations and opinions, other measures including celebrative events as appropriate.