The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard initiative is an important part of the culture we strive to have at Microsoft

Camilla Hillerup

Camilla Hillerup

HR Director

Læsetid, 3 min.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard initiative is a vital part of Microsoft’s cultural attributes, signaling the need for patience and attention towards individuals who wear it.

The lanyards are available to everyone who enters the building, encouraging a culture where everyone feels seen and included. The initiative allows individuals to signal a hidden disability without having to go into further detail, and colleagues are encouraged to pay extra attention, send a smile, and embrace those who wear the lanyard. Microsoft aims to create a culture of embracement, patience, inclusion, and respect towards those who may need extra time and attention.  

A fundamental part of Microsoft’s culture 

At Microsoft, we place great emphasis on fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, which is reflected in our core cultural attributes. The concept of diversity is defined as encompassing a wide range of individual differences, such as race, gender, age, and disabilities, while inclusion is how we behave towards each other making sure everyone feels seen and heard in a culture where individuals are empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, experiences, and skills, and everyone can be themselves and contribute to the team. I like the image that “You come where invited, stay where you are welcome”. To that end, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard initiative represents a fundamental part of our internal agenda and the culture we strive to promote at Microsoft. In my opinion, the initiative holds a duality in its values that is equally important both internally and externally. As such, we have made sure to provide access to the lanyards in our reception area, ensuring that everyone entering our building can wear one.  

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard initiative holds a significant value at Microsoft because what is not apparent is signaled with the lanyard and this creates the opportunity for a culture where we, as a company, make sure that everyone feels seen and paid attention to. Additionally, the initiative is important because it allows the person wearing the lanyard to have no obligation to explain why they are wearing it. In this way, one can signal their hidden disability without having to go into further detail. Ultimately, this is the kind of diversity and inclusion culture that we aspire to nurture at Microsoft, where everyone feels valued and respected, and where individual differences are celebrated as a strength. 

Smile and embrace

We all share the common goal of creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and respected. However, it can be challenging to know how to act respectfully when encountering someone with a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard.  

Here are two points to bear in mind:   

  1. Be aware that wearing the lanyard does not necessarily imply that the person wishes to discuss their hidden disability or explain why they are wearing it. 
  2. When you meet someone who wears the Sunflower Lanyard pay extra attention, offer a warm smile, and make sure the individual feels seen and acknowledged. By doing so, you demonstrate our support and embrace those who are brave enough to wear the lanyard. 

I am proud of this initiative, and how this can support our desire to be an inclusive workplace. I urge you to join me in creating a culture where we prioritize patience and understanding, and where we embrace the ones who are brave enough to show us that they may need some extra time and patience. Together, we can create a truly inclusive and supportive workplace culture where everyone can thrive. 

Work Trend Index: 2021 Annual Report

The Next Great Disruption is Hybrid Work – Are We Ready? Exclusive research and expert insights into a year of work like no other reveal urgent trends for leaders as the next phase of work unfolds.

Find flere relaterede artikler pr. branche:

Detailhandel

  • Detailbranchen og GDPR: Fire GDPR-krav – og hvordan Microsoft kan hjælpe

    Detailbranchen og GDPR: Fire GDPR-krav – og hvordan Microsoft kan hjælpe

    Lær hvordan vi kan hjælpe dig med at opfylde GDPR-kravene med aktuelle løsninger: Vurdering af din aktuelle risikoprofil “Hvordan kan jeg få indsigt i, hvor jeg allerede overholder standarderne, og hvad jeg skal fokusere på som det næste?” Dette er ét af de mest almindelige spørgsmål fra forhandlere med hensyn til GDPR. Det er også ét […]

  • HeadBrands er klar til fremtiden med Microsoft 365 Business

    HeadBrands er klar til fremtiden med Microsoft 365 Business

    HeadBrands er et hurtigt voksende svensk frisørfirma, der blev grundlagt i 2010. Virksomheden er i dag den førende frisørforhandler på det nordiske marked. HeadBrands havde brug for en moderne it-løsning til at øge sin virksomhedsproduktivitet og forbedre samarbejdet både i virksomheden og eksternt. Virksomhedens svar på denne udfordring var at erstatte størsteparten af sine tidligere […]

Offentlig forvaltning

Produktion

  • Monique Carter: Everyone has the right to flexibility

    Monique Carter: Everyone has the right to flexibility

    Hybrid Talk is an article series hosted by Microsoft Denmark. We have invited thought leaders, companies, and organizations to share their views on the modern way of working and how technology supports the hybrid model. Is the new normal here to stay or does it even make sense to talk about normality in a world […]

  • NIRAS uses Copilot for Microsoft 365 to build productivity and engagement success

    NIRAS uses Copilot for Microsoft 365 to build productivity and engagement success

    NIRAS is a value-driven, multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy fundamentally committed to sustainable progress and service delivery. The Copenhagen-headquartered business has more than 3,000 employees located in 61 offices around the world. Together, they have successfully delivered over 7,000 projects.  Can artificial intelligence ameliorate the talent shortage?  “One of our main challenges,” admits Claus Birkholm, CIO and […]

Sundhedspleje

  • Two female healthcare professionals looking at a tablet

    Webinar til virtuel pleje

    En diskussion af Virtual Care-løsningerne muliggjort af Microsoft Teams – bragt til live af et casestudie i Italien.

  • logo

    Tillid – kernen i sundhedsvæsnets digitale transformation.

    Min telefon havde ringet næsten ustandseligt i flere uger. Nu begyndte den igen. “Veronica,” sagde en stemme i røret. “Vi har en idé!” Jeg genkendte stemmen med det samme. Jeg har kendt Carlo Tacchetti næsten lige så længe, som jeg har arbejdet hos Microsoft. Han er professor ved universitetet Vita-Salute San Raffaele og direktør for […]

Uddannelse

Find flere relaterede artikler pr. dossier:

Digital Transformation

Kundecases

Kundehistorier

  • een groep mensen die aan een tafel zit

    Microsoft Surface styrker både klasse- og fjernundervisningen på Randers HF & VUC

    Hele ledelsen og alle underviserne på Randers HF & VUC har deres egen Microsoft Surface inklusive en Surface Pen. Det fleksible værktøj har skabt en helt anden dynamik i klasseundervisningen, hævet kvaliteten af fjernundervisningen og er blevet et uundværligt rette- og feedbackredskab. “Vi uddanner til fremtiden.” For Randers HF & VUC er den sætning mere […]

Sikkerhed og databeskyttelse

  • HeadBrands er klar til fremtiden med Microsoft 365 Business

    HeadBrands er klar til fremtiden med Microsoft 365 Business

    HeadBrands er et hurtigt voksende svensk frisørfirma, der blev grundlagt i 2010. Virksomheden er i dag den førende frisørforhandler på det nordiske marked. HeadBrands havde brug for en moderne it-løsning til at øge sin virksomhedsproduktivitet og forbedre samarbejdet både i virksomheden og eksternt. Virksomhedens svar på denne udfordring var at erstatte størsteparten af sine tidligere […]

Tips