The power of inclusiveness and Daniel's experience of the LGBTQ+ community at M&B

This month we caught up with Daniel from All Bar One in Guilford, who decided to return to the M&B family after spending a few years with another company. Having also gained experience within some of our other brands some years prior, he re-joined us because he felt it was somewhere he could feel good about himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, plus he enjoyed the benefits and opportunities to progress that we provide.

As a company who encourage each team member to be their true selves, this is wonderful to hear. We’re not perfect, but we’re on a journey to becoming truly inclusive and diverse, ensuring all our sites throughout the UK are attractive to people from all different ages, genders, religions, ethnicities, races, cultures, sexual orientations, and educational backgrounds.

How have you seen M&B support the LGBTQ+ community, and how have you been supported on a more personal level?

‘I’ve recently noticed more movement towards supporting the LGBTQ+ community within M&B, and it’s starting to become more apparent throughout all our brands. Personally, I don’t feel I’ve needed extra support to date, but knowing it’s there if I need it is certainly helpful. I think the All Bar One family are very tolerant and open.’

As we mentioned earlier, our business is on a transformational journey, ensuring all of the individuals within our teams feel included and considered. We want to get people talking (if they want to) and make sure that everyone has access to resources that can help make their experience better. Keith, for example, told us he can talk openly and freely as a gay man as we’ve continuously showed support of the LGBTQ+ community by being as inclusive as possible.

What can the hospitality industry do to make the workplace more inclusive?

‘The hospitality industry is vast and there are a multitude of opportunities to progress but in order to help make the workplace more inclusive at M&B, we have started supporting some events as a city division, which has been going well.’

The hospitality industry has faced difficulties throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; however, we believe it has presented an opportunity for all workplaces to become more diverse and inclusive. This might be in the form of celebrating awareness days, running diversity and inclusion training, or establishing a culture of openness and equality.

Why is M&B a great place for LGBTQ+ allies?

‘M&B is very open; we look out for each other, and we don’t accept any kind of discrimination. It does also help that support for the LGBTQ+ community is trickling down from the top of M&B. In addition, there is now a new Facebook group, M&Be Yourself, which was introduced as a safe space where people can express and share experience and some news.’

We also recently heard from Laura, a Shift Supervisor at The Clarence, one of our Nicholson’s pubs in Mayfair. She told us why M&B is a great place for LGBTQ+ allies and has found she has a great support network at work and feels she can be open without the fear of judgement. This is exactly the kind of culture we want to foster!

Our diverse teams make us stronger at M&B

We endeavour to make M&B a great place to work regardless of sexuality or gender because to us, diversity is not just a buzzword. We’re proud of our diverse workforce at M&B; our people and teams are our strength, and we want everyone that works within our family to be comfortable being their true selves. 

Check out more of our diversity stories, or browse our available kitchen, bar and waiting, or management jobs today to kickstart a rewarding career at M&B.