Celebrating Pride Month at UiPath

As Pride Month begins, it’s a time to reflect on the importance of visibility, community, and belonging—both in and outside the workplace. It’s also an opportunity to listen to the voices and experiences that continue to shape more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities. In this post, get to know Rafal and Jack, leads of Pride at UiPath, one of our People Unity Councils. They share what Pride means to them, the experiences that have shaped their journeys, and why creating spaces where people can show up as themselves matters.

What is a People Unity Council (PUC)?

People Unity Councils (PUCs) at UiPath are employee-led communities that create space for connection, advocacy, and belonging. Pride at UiPath PUC cultivates a space where LGBTQ+ employees can be their authentic selves and create a sense of community. The group works to educate, elevate, and protect LGBTQ+ rights and voices in the workplace.

Why do initiatives like Pride Month matter in the workplace today?

Rafal Cebula, Senior Solution Engineer II, SUMMIT: "Pride Month ensures UiPathers can show up and be their authentic selves with confidence and can help decrease some of the challenges of being an often invisible minority. Queerness, in many forms, may not be apparent and make it challenging for members to even recognize each other. Being open is always a challenge, and Pride Month events show both the LBGTQIA+ members and others in the organization that there are spaces where they can explore being more open. Being visible is an ongoing and persistent task, and Pride Month can make it a bit easier."

Jack A. Pitot de La Beaujardièr, Senior Site Reliability Engineer, SRE team: "The political trends of today show us that the fight for equal rights still has a long way to go. We are in an era of backsliding for LGBTQIA+ rights. Holding Pride Month celebrations in the workplace is more important now than it has been in a long time. It helps to uphold basic rights and dignity for folks who really need help. As an employer, observing Pride Month shows your employees that they are safe, they are valued, and they belong."

What does meaningful allyship look like in action, beyond words or awareness moments?

Rafal: "Allyship will vary based on the user's situation. In places where LGBTQIA+ allyship may be a social or even physical risk, reaching out to individuals to connect could be a good way to build some community and support. In places where allyship is more accepted, helping spread news about internal events and collaborating with the PUC could be a good way to get involved."

Jack: "For me allyship in action means standing by a friend or coworker when they need you. Support is easy in the easy times, but it's meaningful in the difficult times. You may see someone being bullied, treated unfairly, or in a bad way. How you support them in that moment will stay with them forever. A small kindness can go a long way for someone who feels isolated. Reach out with compassion to your fellow people in their time of need. That's what allyship looks like to me."

How can communities like the Pride PUC help create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone?

Rafal: "The Pride PUC strives to provide members and allies with a space where they can explore and discuss their identities and experiences in a way that is comfortable for them. This is not a subject that naturally shows up in many people’s working lives, so having a space formally set aside for it is necessary."

Jack: "Having a space to gather and collaborate with folks like yourself helps you to know that you aren't alone, and that you have the support of a community. Having such a community which is endorsed by your employer gives you the reassurance that they are on your side too, that you can be yourself and it won't compromise your career."

What’s one thing individuals or leaders can do to foster a stronger sense of belonging at work?

Rafal: "Be vocal about your participation and allyship. If you see a UiPath event run by the Pride PUC, mention it in a team slack or group channel. If you are a leader, ensure you take the time to highlight these communications and most importantly, participate directly. Having a leader participate is the strongest signal you can send to your team."

Jack: "Being authentic and honest is the first step. When coworkers feel they can trust you, they feel safe to be themselves. When you show that you as a leader are bringing your whole self to work, you empower those around you to do the same."

What impact have you seen when people feel safe, supported, and included at work?

Rafal: "In a GTM role, we are constantly forced to communicate and persuade unique and distinct personas. Building a culture of inclusion and hiring diverse teams ensures we have as many skills available as possible to be successful. By ensuring we have a safe and inclusive team, we ensure we can work with diverse teams and directly impact UiPath’s revenue, and by extension, every UiPather’s success."

Jack: "Work can already be stressful. Compounding that with having to worry about not slipping up, saying the wrong thing, or accidentally outing yourself, it can make it unbearable. When we feel safe at work, we're able to be more productive. We can focus on getting the job done, and know that we will be supported when we need to recharge. A safe and inclusive workplace is a more productive and happier workplace. Psychological safety unlocks greater creativity. If you've ever worked someplace where folks don't feel safe, you see the difference instantly: no one wants to take any risks. Everyone is just looking to skate by and offload as much blame as possible to keep the target off their own back. That's not an environment where innovation thrives."

Pride Month is a reminder that belonging is built in the everyday moments—through visibility, support, empathy, and community. Thank you to Rafal and Jack for sharing their stories and perspectives with us. Happy Pride Month!