June is Pride Month, an annual celebration to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.
Seen as a crucial tipping point in history, the Stonewall Uprising ushered in a new era of liberation and activism for LGBTQ+ rights in America.
Today, Paycom proudly honors the work of those who came before us and celebrates the ongoing impact of our LGBTQ+ team members, families, friends and allies. Together, we create a more inclusive workplace and, in turn, world.
PRIDE at Paycom
“For me, Pride has changed over the years,” said Joshua. A, (he/him), Paycom’s director of sales operations.
“These days, I look at Pride as a way to inspire the next generation. Being able to live my life as my authentic self has led me to where I am today both professionally and personally,” he said. “Celebrating is something I do every day by showing up as who I am. I am a friend, partner, leader and advocate for change.”
Paycom values all voices. Through our commitment to equality, we seek to foster a work environment where employees from all backgrounds feel safe to be their authentic selves.
One way we demonstrate this is through employee resource groups (ERGs), including our Paycom Respect Inclusion Diversity and Equality (PRIDE) ERG.
PRIDE’s mission is to support LGBTQ+ employees and the queer community while providing educational opportunities for allies and creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Its efforts have inspired companywide change. Last year, PRIDE worked with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team to add an LGBTQ+ identity option for all employees.
We are proud to report that nearly 500 team members identified as LGBTQ+ or an ally as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Paycom continues to build off our firm DEI foundation. We’ve grown our initiatives and surpassed our goals for ERGs and now have:
- 11 ERGs offering essential outlets for employees to reflect, share, connect, learn and create a more welcoming workplace
- 20% of team members actively participating in one or more ERG
“In my tenure, ERGs, Better Conversations and the DEI team have all stood up and changed the face of Paycom,” said Joshua A.
“Paycom has fostered a workplace of feedback and support. To see the amount of listening that happens at the corporate level is unlike anything that I have seen at other organizations. Paycom truly cares about the voice of the employee.”
It’s part of why we’ve been named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek two years in a row.
An inclusive community
Only 17% of LGBT employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their well-being, according to a February 2022 Gallup study of over 15,000 workers.
The same study found that:
- 49% experienced depression
- 48% experienced anxiety
In other words, LGBT employees are less likely to be thriving and twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to their non-LGBT colleagues.
This important yet disheartening data underscores the significance of providing a safe and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to be their whole selves.
Paycom’s innovative Better Conversations series was designed with this in mind. Team members are encouraged to be authentic, share their voice and engage in discussions about topics that are often avoided at work. These sessions provide a safe and structured space for employees to both listen and learn.
In 2023, we expanded the series by partnering with each of our 11 ERGs to host monthly events and help inform the topics.
Committed to action
The well-being of every team member is Paycom’s priority. Our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive workplace can be seen through our benefit offerings and the way we give back to the communities we live and work in.
Paycom is proud to:
- be the presenting sponsor of Oklahoma PrideFest, an annual event hosted by Oklahoma Pride Alliance
- donate to and support the initiatives of The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ youth
- create a caring environment through holistic benefits, including:
- $1-per-pay-period individual health insurance
- $0 copay for in-network therapy and counseling
- low-cost, comprehensive vision and dental coverage
- on-campus well-being advisors offering confidential mental health and wellness resources
- on-site interfaith spaces
- access to green spaces and weekly companywide guided meditation sessions
- on-site fitness centers with classes, intramural leagues and state-of-the-art equipment
- financial well-being resources such as generous 401(k) matching and an employee stock purchase plan
- subsidized $4 catered lunches from local eateries at our corporate campuses
“Paycom is more than an employer in OKC. Paycom is an agent of change for those who have been marginalized within the state and is not afraid to continue driving Oklahoma forward,” Joshua A. said. “Elite talent comes in all forms, and Paycom is a leader in proving that.”
Celebrating Pride Month is one of the many ways Paycom fosters a culture of safety and belonging for all employees. Learn more about how we prioritize inclusion year-round.
