Overall, employees agree that companies in general should be doing more to recruit and hire applicants from the LGBTQ+ community. (Photo: Shutterstock)
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a good time for businesses to take a look at their diversity and inclusion efforts. In doing so, however, employers should make sure they're being inclusive in their assessment, as well.
If you ask workers in general how well their employer is doing, they'll likely have a more favorable perception of their workplaces attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals–a perception that might not actually be shared by those individuals.
Monster asked nearly 600 people to describe their workplace's attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals: 31.45 percent say it's extremely positive; 12.30 percent say it's slightly positive; and 37.11 percent say their workplace is neutral.
Related: Diversity, inclusion and belonging: How do we get there?
“People are feeling positive about their company's efforts to support the LGBTQ community,” says Vicki Salemi, Monster career expert. “This fosters inclusion and diversity which is important for both employers and employees, not only making a positive impact from a productivity and workplace perspective, but simply because it's the right thing to do.”
The percentage of respondents who say their workplace's attitudes are on the other side of the spectrum are much less: 9.96 percent say their workplace is slightly negative towards LGBTQ+ individuals; and 9.18 percent say it's extremely negative.
“Employees should be aware of their company's stance on treatment and attitude toward individuals and then secondly, if they find it doesn't align with what's right for them, they should feel empowered to do something about it,” Salemi says. “This can equate to looking for a job that's a better fit and displays a healthier and more open environment toward all individuals.”
Overall, more than half (55.71 percent) say that companies, in general, should be doing more to recruit and hire applicants from the LGBTQ+ community.
“Companies are continuing to work towards growing and expanding these efforts to improve their workplace,” she says. “Plus, now it's being talked about openly which is another sign we're headed in the right direction.”
Headed in the right direction, but not there yet. A Glassdoor survey of more than 6,100 adults, among whom 515 are employed and identify as LGBTQ+, paints a different picture.
More than half (53 percent) of LGBTQ+ employees say they have experienced or witnessed anti-LGBTQ comments by coworkers. In comparison, 30 percent of non-LGBTQ+ employees say they have experienced or witnessed anti-LGBTQ comments by coworkers.
“It's disheartening to see that a majority of LGBTQ employees have faced or witnessed some form of verbal discrimination at work,” says Jesus Suarez, Glassdoor's LGBTQ and ally employee group leader. “Any employer that chooses to ignore implementing supportive working environments and policies risk missing out on hiring quality talent.”
Nearly 3 in 5 (57 percent) employed LGBTQ+ adults say they feel they are fully “out” at work, while 43 percent say they feel they are not fully “out” at work. Nearly half (47 percent) of LGBTQ+ employees believe being “out” at work could hurt their career – they would not be selected for a project or a promotion, or they would lose their job.
“Still today, 26 states do not protect LGBTQ+ employees at work and many of these employees believe coming out could hurt their career. This is a wake up call to employers and lawmakers,” Suarez says. “Many employers have an opportunity to build or strengthen the foundation for an inclusive culture that encourages employees to bring their full selves to work.”
Nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) LGBTQ+ employees are more likely than non-LGBTQ+ employees (48 percent) to believe their company can do more to support their LGBTQ+ and ally employees at work. Overall, half of all of the survey respondents, no matter their sexual orientation, believe their company can do more to support these individuals at work.
“We're seeing a strong majority of LGBTQ+ employees wanting more support from their employers, and there are many ways to offer support that go beyond benefits and policies,” said Suarez. “Doing company research is a great way to evaluate if you'll find support in a potential employer. It's important to find a job and a company you love, including a company that encourages you to be your authentic self at work.”
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Katie Kuehner-Hebert
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.
