Over 120 City workplaces have Rainbow Certification
The Department of Welfare office has joined other Reykjavík City workplaces with Rainbow Certification. Reykjavík City's Rainbow Certification aims to make City operations more LGBT+ friendly for staff and service users. It also prevents direct and indirect discrimination against LGBT+ people.
Over 120 Reykjavík City workplaces have received Rainbow Certification. Eleven are currently in the process. About 60 workplaces are waitlisted to start the process.
View the list of Reykjavík City workplaces with Rainbow Certification here.
Actions include holding an annual Rainbow Day
All staff participated in education to receive Rainbow Certification. The office's operations were reviewed through an LGBT+ lens. An action plan aims to make the workplace more LGBT+ friendly. The Department of Welfare office plans several actions. These include holding an annual Rainbow Day to highlight LGBT+ issues, maintaining knowledge of LGBT+ topics through various means, and reviewing all office publications for gender-neutral language. Job advertisements will encourage applications regardless of gender and mention the Rainbow Certification.
About 60 people work at the Department of Welfare office in Borgartún. It includes offices for disability services, elder care, engagement and counseling. Administration, human resources and finance offices are also there. The Department of Welfare oversees many other workplaces. Rannveig Einarsdóttir, Director of Reykjavík City's Department of Welfare, expects more to join. "I encourage staff and managers in welfare services to start the Rainbow Certification process. Together we can create a city that's good for all of us, at work and play," she says.
Staff generally receptive to Rainbow Certification
Þórhildur Elínardóttir Magnúsdóttir provides education for Rainbow Certification. She's an LGBT+ issues specialist at Reykjavík City's Human Rights & Democracy Office. She says staff are generally very receptive to Rainbow Certification. The education often sparks lively discussions, showing it opens minds to society's diversity. "Reykjavík City's Rainbow Certification is crucial, especially now with polarization and shallow prejudices against marginalized groups. Reykjavík City has an LGBT+ friendly Human Rights Policy. It aims to develop education and information sharing for equality and diversity. Rainbow Certification is key to implementing this policy," she says.