A strong culture is built on shared values and a sense of community. It is crucial to take steps to ensure that our culture is positive, no matter where we or our colleagues live.

Culture is passed down through socialization in families and education, and learned through imitation and observation. It evolves through innovation and creativity of individuals and groups within a culture. It also changes through interaction and exchange with other cultures and facilitated by media and technology advancements like the internet and social media, making it easier to access and interact with diverse cultures.

Promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, nurturing personal growth and development, and creating a culture of accountability are ways to achieve this. By doing so, we can create an environment that promotes happiness, well-being, and success for everyone, regardless of their background or identity. Cultural understanding in the workplace also improves communication, increases creativity and innovation, productivity, decision-making and customer service. It also helps companies comply with laws and regulations related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

So in a nutshell having a positive, inclusive and diverse culture makes a better place to work, which isn’t a bad thing.

I love policies because they protect our people and our business. As Monica Geller said, “They control the fun.” However, how can a policy protect our people if some of our people don’t see or recognize themselves in the policy, and therefore feel excluded in the workplace?

Gender identity is how someone identifies themselves on the inside, and gender expression is how they choose to share that on the outside. It is different from their sex assigned at birth, and different from their sexuality, which is who they are attracted to.

The concept of gender expression, or the way in which individuals present their gender through behaviour, clothing, hairstyles, voice, and other forms of self-expression, has been present in various cultures throughout history. Adopting gender-neutral language in policies is a progressive step towards dismantling gender-based discrimination.

When gendered language is used in policies, it can create an exclusive and discriminatory atmosphere for those who do not conform to traditional gender norms. It also sends a message that certain individuals are not welcome or valued in that space. Furthermore, gendered language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce societal expectations and biases.

Using gender-neutral language allows for a more equitable and unbiased approach to policy-making and implementation.

In addition to promoting inclusivity and equality, using gender-neutral language in policies can also make them more effective and efficient. Gender-neutral language is less likely to be misinterpreted or misunderstood, which can lead to improved communication and implementation of policies.

In short, removing gendered words from policies is an important step towards promoting inclusivity, equality, and effective policy-making. It allows for a more equitable and unbiased approach to policy-making and implementation that benefits everyone.

At Voodoo Park, we believe that recognition and appreciation play a crucial role in fostering a positive and productive work environment. That's why we have established a Monthly Peer Recognition Award to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional contributions and hard work of our team members.

Every month, our employees have the opportunity to nominate a colleague who has gone above and beyond in their role. The nominees are evaluated based on their positive impact on the team, their dedication to their work, and their commitment to excellence. The winner is selected by their peers and is awarded a monetary prize.