Page 14 - IAV Digital Magazine #477

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Gays Still Hiding It At Work
A survey has found that despite signifi- cant progress in recent years for LGBTQ inclusion, about half of the LGBTQ people continue to remain closeted at their work- places. The rate has remained largely unchanged over the past decade.
The Human Rights Campaign or HRC Foundation has released the results of its sur- vey, "A Workplace Divided: Understanding the Climate for LGBTQ Workers Nationwide".
The survey says substantial barri- ers remain to full LGBTQ inclusion at workplaces despite signifi- cant progress in recent years. This includes the Supreme Court's decision embrac- ing marriage equality in 2015
as well as corpo- rate policies and practices that increasingly embrace LGBTQ inclusion.
46 percent of LGBTQ workers said they are closeted at work, compared to 50 percent as per a HRC report way back in 2008. In addition, one in five LGBTQ workers reported
that co-workers told or implied they should dress in a more femi- nine or masculine manner.
53 percent of LGBTQ workers reported hearing jokes about les- bian or gay peo- ple at least once in a while, while 31 percent of respondents felt unhappy or depressed at
work.
One of the major reasons for LGBTQ workers not reporting the negative com- ments to a super- visor is because they did not think anything would be done about it. They also did not want to hurt their relationships with co-workers by reporting it.
The survey results highlight the challenges faced by LGBTQ workers, particu- larly transgender workers and peo- ple of color, at their place of work.
It also highlights the nuanced issues in the workplace that keep LGBTQ workers "sepa- rate," leaving
many feeling dis- tracted, exhaust- ed or depressed, and believing they have nowhere to turn for help.
One in five employees said they have stayed home from work as their work- place was not always accepting of LGBTQ peo- ple, while one in five searched for a different job. One in ten such workers have left a job as the envi- ronment was not very accepting of them.
"LGBTQ employ- ees are still avoiding making personal and pro- fessional connec- tions at work because they fear coming out -- and that hurts not only that employ- ee, but the com- pany as a
whole," said Deena Fidas, director of HRC's Workplace Equality Program.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine