Equality and diversity initiatives failing LGBT+ employees

Do you feel confident and supported enough at work to be yourself? For around a quarter of LGBT+ employees, the answer is no, a new survey by LGBT+ charity Just Like Us has revealed.

This report surveyed 3,695 young LGBT+ people aged 18 to 25 and discovered that a quarter went back into the closet after starting work, a statistic that rose to above 30 per cent for the gay men surveyed. Gay men and young asexual adults were also the most likely to report experiencing bullying in the workplace, with 23 per cent of both groups reporting having been bullied.

As if these statistics were not enough, Just Like Us also looked at the average salaries of LGBT+ people and found that on average young LGBT+ adults make less than their straight counterparts, with both gender and sexuality affecting average earnings.

‘On average young LGBT+ adults make less than their straight counterparts…’

Overall, 14 per cent of LGBT+ adults said that they were unable to be themselves at work, with this figure jumping to 20 per cent for transgender employees who were the most likely to report not being able to be themselves at work.

These figures paint a stark image about being a young LGBT+ employee and suggest that there is still more work to be done before LGBT+ staff receive equality in the workplace. Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment is crucial for staff wellbeing. Without steps being taken to increase equality and diversity efforts, LGBT+ staff will be more likely to look elsewhere for roles.

The message is clear: companies must make sure that their efforts to make the workplace more equal are more than just talk, but about create real change for their employees, or they will run the risk of losing talent to competitors.