February marks the beginning of LGBT history month (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans). A month since 2005 where we celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by the LGBT community in the UK and reflect on their history and culture.
Discrimination in employment on the grounds of sexual orientation has been illegal since 2003, and was aligned with protection for some Trans individuals, religious identity and other protected characteristics in the 2010 Equality Act.
Much research has taken place over the years but Stonewall in 2018 found that:
- Almost one in five LGBT staff (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they’re LGBT.
- One in eight trans people (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues in the last year because of being trans.
- One in ten black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT staff (10 per cent) have similarly been physically attacked because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, compared to three per cent of white LGBT staff.
- Almost one in five LGBT people (18 per cent) who were looking for work said they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity while trying to get a job in the last year.
- One in eight black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT employees (12 per cent) have lost a job in the last year because of being LGBT, compared to four per cent of white LGBT staff.
- Almost two in five bi people (38 per cent) aren’t out to anyone at work about their sexual orientation.
- More than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden or disguised that they are LGBT at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination.
- One in eight lesbian, gay and bi people (12 per cent) wouldn’t feel confident reporting any homophobic or biphobic bullying to their employer. One in five trans people (21 per cent) wouldn’t report transphobic bullying in the workplace.
- Almost a third of non-binary people (31 per cent) and one in five trans people (18 per cent) don’t feel able to wear work attire representing their gender expression.
For this reason, it is important that equality and diversity work is not seen as an ‘add-on’ to the HR function but seen as a fundamental part of it to develop safe, supportive and productive workplaces. We won’t be surprised to learn that 82% of LGBT employees that work for a supportive organisation are committed to the company values and an enhanced length of service.
Source – https://bit.ly/2vQYxW2
