We already knew Netflix was home to some of the world's best and most popular queer-inclusive shows and movies, but the company's dedication to the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond just the content they produce and distribute -- it also shows in the way they take care of their LGBTQ+ employees and the people who make the company the success it is today!
In a brand new video campaign initiative, Netflix is highlighting a diverse group of its employees from different walks of life and of different identities, all of which have been positively impacted by the streamer's inclusive, wide-ranging set of employee benefits (i.e. medical/dental, paid time off and sick days, financial matching for retirement accounts, etc.).
Out got to talk to one of those employees -- Netflix's senior data product manager B. Pagels-Minor, who came out as trans nonbinary back in 2016 -- about how being a part of the company and making the most of out its benefits, helped them live their most authentic lives and become the person they are today!
B. Pagels-Minor (right) pictured with their partner. (Courtesy of Netflix)
Out: What does it mean to you to be a part of the Netflix team? And how did your journey with the company start?
B. Pagels-Minor: For full transparency, I never considered working at Netflix until I was invited to a Strong Black Lead dinner around AfroTech 2019. The dinner was delicious, plus the people were great. And not a single person there even asked me about joining Netflix. After that dinner, I quickly became friends with a number of the participants and generally started to change my mind about potentially working at Netflix. Fast forward a couple of months and my current manager sent me an email asking me if I would consider a role on his team. From then on, there were coffee chats with a number of team members that ultimately convinced me that Netflix was the place for me.
Being a part of Netflix is like being on the '92 Dream Team. It really is amazing to work with so many amazing colleagues. I mean there are Oscar and Grammy winners. There are patent holders and more Ph.D.'s than an average small university all in the same place. And as a result of that, it always seems like anything is possible. No matter what challenge we have in front of us that we can simply figure it out and get it done. Moreover, it really does seem often like we are changing the world as we go, which is a pretty cool feeling to have.
What's the best part of being a part of a company that has made such a commitment to being inclusive and diverse, especially when it comes to queer, trans, and nonbinary talent?
The best part is seeing it actually happen. It's great to see how the team really is incorporating more diverse talent in front of and behind the screen. I love when I see a memo where a team member is talking about a big show or movie coming out and all the ways it is telling a story that may not have ever been seen before. And it shows in what my family or friends say about the content, so it's really amazing to see Netflix literally change the landscape of media in real-time.
Compared to other companies you've worked for, where does Netflix rank in terms of being an open and welcoming work environment?
Netflix is hands down the best I've experienced. From day one, my manager asked me my pronouns, invited me to a Black@ event to ensure I knew the group existed, and made sure I could talk to a number of different team members who could answer every question I might have about being Black and trans at Netflix.
In your opinion, what can other companies glean from the way Netflix operates in order to make their employees feel more welcomed and included?
First and foremost, ask your employees what they want and need. I love that the Benefits team asks us for feedback constantly on our benefits and what can be improved. That makes a ton of difference in how they evaluate potential benefit partners and makes us feel heard.
Learn more about B. Pagels-Minor's story and journey with Netflix in the video below! And for more information about Netflix's inclusive work culture, follow @WeAreNetflix on Instagram!
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