Celebrating Pride: Inclusion Is More Than a Policy

By Joshua Gledhill 
Head of Customer Experience, Palintest
June 2025 | Pride Month

As we step into Pride Month once again, you won’t be surprised to find it’s me writing this message on behalf of our LGBTQ+ team members and allies — and for that, I take no shame. In fact, I take great pride in it.

It’s through having conversations like these, openly and consistently, that the workplace has become a safer and more accepting environment for LGBTQ+ people. These conversations have helped drive a culture shift, and fundamentally changed how openly and confidently people can show up as their full selves at work.

When I started my career over a decade ago, the landscape was very different — especially in industries like manufacturing. It wasn’t the norm to talk about LGBTQ+ life, and for many of us, it was actively discouraged.

You might be wondering: “Why is that relevant in a professional setting? We’re here to do a job, not to share our personal lives.”

To that I say this: successful businesses are made of strong teams, and strong teams are built on trust, shared experiences, and authentic relationships. How can you build those if you’re forced to hide a core part of who you are?

Think about how often we talk about our weekend plans, mention our partners in passing, share stories about family life, or laugh about something our kids did. These are the moments that build rapport — that help us truly connect.

When LGBTQ+ employees feel unable to share those parts of their lives, it stops them from fully belonging. It keeps them at arm’s length from the very teams they’re part of. And from experience, I can tell you: hiding takes a toll.

That’s why we must continue to celebrate Pride — not as a one-off event, but as a vital part of our culture. At Palintest, we’ve worked hard to create an inclusive environment where people can feel safe to be themselves. But that culture needs protecting, nurturing, and continuously evolving.

Because when people feel included — all parts of them — they bring their full energy, creativity, and commitment to the team. And committed teams deliver.

So, this Pride Month, I invite you to join me and the entire DEI team in celebration. Attend the workshops. Listen to the stories. Engage with the resources. And most of all, celebrate yourself — and the part you play in making Palintest the diverse, inclusive, and welcoming place it is.

Happy Pride. 🌈