Are you wondering how best to show support for the LGBTQ+ community? Here are the challenges they face at work and how to address them.
While progress has been made for LGBTQ+ rights, many organizations are still working toward establishing a safe and accepting place for all employees, especially those in the LGBT community. Successful organizations continuously work toward inclusion in their workplace to create a more positive work environment. Despite this progress, many challenges still exist for these employees.
Why Support for LGBTQ+ Community Is Needed
Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Community
Employee discrimination is one of many workplace challenges that needs to be addressed to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Many report unfair treatment or harassment in the workplace at some point during their careers. Transgender and gender non-conforming employees often face the most backlash, struggling to fit into the rigid confines of traditional gender norms.
In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, the journey towards establishing a safe and inclusive workplace requires more than legal compliance, it necessitates a shift in organizational culture. LGBT training in the workplace helps ensure that your staff understands the barriers that the LGBT community faces both in life and in the workplace, how best to support the LGBTQ+ community and how to be ally.
Isolation
Because so many employees in the LGBT community don’t feel understood, it can be isolating. Establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) dedicated to LGBTQ+ employees and allies can provide support networks and other resources that help foster an inclusive workplace.
Underrepresentation
Catalyst reports that LGBTQ+ employees make up 5.9% of the workforce in the United States but are underrepresented in leadership roles. Just 25 of the 5,670 board seats in Fortune 500 companies are held by openly LGBT directors and only 2 of those are held by LGBT people of color.
Organizations must actively work to dismantle the barriers to advancement for LGBTQ+ employees, ensuring equitable opportunities for growth and leadership.
How Organizations Can Combat These Problems
With the many challenges that LGBTQ+ employees face, there are some things that you can do to help every staff member feel accepted at work and show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that offer support and career resources.
- Include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in nondiscrimination policies.
- Offer inclusive benefits, such as domestic partner benefits, that respect all family structures.
- Create all-gender facilities that respect everyone’s privacy and identity.
- Normalize the use of pronouns in the office to honor each individual’s identity.
Educate Your Staff About Workplace Challenges For LGBTQ+ Employees
As an organization, finding ways to ensure that every employee feels heard, valued, and respected is always important. This sense of belonging allows your team to work together more cohesively and to be more productive too. Embracing and utilizing tools like the Diversity Calendar are helpful steps in this journey. They not only offer valuable insights into LGBTQ+ inclusion but also guide your organization in evolving into a truly diverse and inclusive workplace.
FAQs
What ways can I offer support to those in the LGBTQ+ community while at work?
Some easy ways to support the community at work and beyond are to be affirming and respectful. Always actively listen to learn more about their story and to be an ally. Have an open-door policy as a DEI leader where all employees can voice concerns, make suggestions for accommodations, or report discrimination without fear of retaliation.
How do I make my workplace LGBTQ friendly?
First, starting an employee resource group allows you to provide support to all communities in your office. This will also help people when onboarding to have the support they need to transition well. Be open to suggestions from employees about benefits including domestic partner or same-sex married benefits or paternal leave.
What is LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace?
LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace occurs when employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, supported, respected, valued, seen, and heard. This sense of belonging is important for all employees to want to be productive, to be more creative and innovative, and best of all, to stay at their job.