Sommer Green (she/her), Head of Customer and Digital Experience at MetLife Australia, sees a lot of online hate and media that belittles or denigrates who she is as a person.

“If a workplace can be a safer space for me, of course I will thrive there,” says Green, who identifies as pansexual and Co-chairs MetLife’s DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] LGBTQ+ Committee.

A speaker at the upcoming ANZIIF Diversity & Inclusion Luncheon, Green asserts that a wide variety of research [see a selection of sources below] shows that psychologically safe, diverse and inclusive workforces are the highest performers. They also have the lowest cases of compensation claims for workers’ mental health.

Detrimental effects of hiding

Green accepted her job offer at MetLife after finding a featured story on the company website about a trans man who transitioned while at MetLife. “As someone with a trans partner, it signalled safety to me,” she says.

Previously, Green had been concerned that being open could be detrimental to her career and could even be unsafe. In every prior workplace, she was initially closeted.

Premium

You need to login to access this

Login

What are CIP Points? About ANZIIF Membership