LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Workplace

More than half (53%) of LGBTQ+ employees reported that they have experienced or witnessed anti-LGBTQ comments by co-workers. 

A recent study from Glassdoor found that LGBTQ+ individuals still face significant discrimination in the workplace. Their data found that 43% of LGBTQ+ respondents are not fully “out” at work and 47%  say they believe that being out at work could hurt their career, cause them to lose a job, get passed over for a promotion, or miss out on a key project.

• 68% of LGBTQ employees say that their current companies could be doing more to support them and their allies at work.
  
  
• 70% of LGBTQ respondents said they would not apply to work at a company that does not support its LGBTQ employees.
  
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What does this mean for employers, managers and colleagues? 

Similarly to our recent blog post on diversity & inclusion in the workplace, cultivating an environment that supports and champions those from the LGBTQ+ community takes work and is more than just implementing a D&I strategy and ticking a few boxes. 

Glassdoor recently published the following ideas on how you can build inclusivity into the makeup of your business: 

• Send out regular, anonymous, company-wide surveys to determine whether or not LGBTQ+ employees feel a sense of inclusion and belonging and identify areas to improve 
  
  
• Hold company-wide LGBTQ competency training sessions 
  
  
• Establish an employee resource group for LGBTQ employees and allies
  
  
• Support LGBTQ organizations: coordinate a group for your local pride march, donate to a relevant nonprofit or volunteer with a local charity
  
  
• Offer LGBTQ-inclusive benefits, such as covering gender confirmation surgery or fertility treatments for same-sex couples trying to have children
  
  

• Speak to your team (both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ employees) about what inclusion looks like in your business, not only could you find out ideas you hadn't thought of, but it cultivates an environment where everyone is included in that vision 
  
  

These are just some of the steps to take to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and help create safer, more inclusive workplaces where all LGBTQ+ employees are accepted without exception. 

Read more:

• Resources to build more inclusive businesses 
• Diversity in the Workplace
• Heterosexual and LGBTQ+ pay gap higher than UK's gender pay gap
• ​"50+ Ideas for Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace"