🌈LGBTQ+ in the service industry - Tyler Rutherford

The hospitality industry has been a LGBTQ+ community supporter and top employment sector for years and it globally recognises the need to change the way employers operate globally in order to be more diverse. This series of interviews will be looking into the career and inspirations of top industry leaders/figures to celebrate one of the most diverse employment sectors. 

Tyler Rutherford, Director of Operations & Culture - Gusto 54 Restaurant Group

What does “diversity” mean to you?

Diversity means breathing life into a space with ideas and talents from people of different backgrounds & experiences. 

In my experience, in business specifically, diversity can also be a means of performative change. 

A company promoting Diversity & Inclusion but failing to meet these promises with the actions necessary. Some examples might be creating a safe space for the inclusion of idea sharing, performance evaluations, opportunities for advancement, or speaking up and dealing with that homophobic joke is told. More needs to be done to stop diversity from becoming a label shared by employers and one that is instead given by their employees. 

During your career in the service industry, what has made it possible for your to be a successful leader and at the same time, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community?

The service industry can be a great safe space for those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community to learn and advance but this can also be at a cost. I am not sure if my work ethic and dedication to what I do came naturally or not. I think these could be learned traits from school and early career path trauma of telling myself ‘if I perform well in this task, my sexuality won’t matter, the joke won’t be said, I will fit in’. 

As an employer who now recognizes this, I get to be part of creating an environment that supports everyone to be their personal best. I am a proud member of the community and this is one way I now give back. 

Do you have recommendations for any LGBTQ+ people entering the employment/business world who might face situations of discrimination?

The LGBTQIA2S+ community is not monolithic. Our experiences before we enter business are valuable lessons that must be allowed to shape us in our roles. Do not allow yourself to live in complete separation of work-life & home-life. Put yourself in an environment that showcases who you are.  It took me a long time to accept self-worth. This self-actualization led me to the confidence in standing up for yourself and now being part of creating the safe space for others.

We can stand up for ourselves in different ways but it’s important to know that for every company doing wrong by its people, there are two doing right. It is your power to choose if you can impact change in that situation or if you need to exit yourself for your safety or mental well-being. 

Have you noticed any differences from a best practice in the business perspective, as an LGBTQ+ person, between when you started compared to now? (policies, support…)

It wasn’t long ago employers did not know what unconscious bias is, let alone complete training to support the eradication of it. People are becoming more in tune with how society raised them and the things we can be grateful for and the things that need immediate change. We need to continue running our company policies like we want the industry as a whole. Remember, our representatives in government often introduce policy that matches best practice in business. 

Has anything in your professional career (or maybe personal life) that has made you think or say, “let’s change this for the community?”

I am fortunate enough to work with colleagues who share the vision of impacting change in an industry that far too often operates outside business norms. We are not perfect and when we hit barriers, we find the best way to fix it, then shift to how we can impact that same change outside of our organization. I am open and eager to be involved in more of these conversation with others over the course of my life. 

Have there been any LGBTQ+ organisations, groups or places that have been part of your journey?

There have not been any specific one organization on my path but there are so many more resources out there for those who need help. 

I do however support many organizations. One being Covenant House Toronto. While they are not specifically a LGBTQIA2S+ organization, Covenant House is the largest agency in Canada serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk. They work with youth experiencing homeless to get them the skills to find work while providing a safe place to stay. LBGTQIA2S+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness and make up 25%-40% of the current homeless population in Toronto. 

What do you think could improve for the LGBTQ+ community in the employment world?

LGBTQIA2S+ lives improve when sexual misconduct and harassment illuminated, when organizations and policy repeat that Black, Indigenous & POC lives matter, when xx While having very different experiences, we live in an employee market and employers are more willing than ever to give the time and space needed for change. 

If you would like to take part as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, get in touch with Krishnan (krishnan@corecruitment.com)