Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, an organization that champions a safe and equitable workplace environment for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, has partnered with Penn alumnus David M. Hall on the book, “Allies at Work,” which seeks to establish an open dialogue to engage allies in support of workplace equality for all people. Hall discusses his book on Oct. 14 at the Penn Bookstore.

Through extensive research, “Allies at Work” offers a guide to fostering cultural change in the workplace and developing work environments in which everyone is included, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Hall provides the framework for teaching what he calls “cultural competency,” which is the removal of all assumption and enforcement of heterosexuality in the workplace, creating environments in which everyone is equal.

Throughout the book, Hall, a workplace productivity consultant, utilizes the personal struggles and daily challenges of numerous LGBT community members to emphasize the need for straight allies to actively pursue and work toward creating equality in the workplace.

The book is a valuable resource not only for allies, but for the LGBT workforce, introducing them to challenges faced by members of their own community, while also encouraging them to become actively involved in their employee resource groups.

The event takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.