While most LGBTQ+ workers say they feel included at work and that they are treated fairly, 40% have not disclosed their identity at work — with 1 in 5 of those employees saying that if they revealed their identity, they believed they wouldn’t be promoted, according to Society for Human Resource Management research released June 1.
“Significantly fewer” LGBTQ+ workers said their company has equitable representation at all levels compared to non-LGBTQ+ workers, SHRM said. Notably, LGBTQ+ workers said representation was equitable were over two times more likely to agree they are treated fairly at work.
“Recognizing the importance of inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ workers, this new research shows organizations are making headway. However, we have plenty of room for improvement,” said Alex Alonso, SHRM-SCP, chief knowledge officer for SHRM. “Just hiring LGBTQIA+ individuals to maintain diversity isn't sustainable without a culture of inclusion that truly welcomes all individuals for who they are.”
Other recently released research agrees; Glassdoor found that 45% of LGBTQ+ employees surveyed said being out at work could hurt their careers. And more than half said they’d experienced or witnessed anti-LGBTQ+ comments from co-workers.
The results speak to the importance of a diverse workforce from the top down — as well as why explicit inclusion of LGBTQ+ identities in workplace DEI efforts matters. Only half of companies surveyed by SHRM said they include LGBTQ+ identities in DEI efforts.
