Subject/Research Guides: LGBTQIA+: Inclusion in the Workplace

when in doubt

When in doubt ask questions rather than assume something about someone.

Helpful Videos

Tips to make your workplace more LGBT friendly

Be conscious of potential microaggressions
- Using terms like a partner instead of husband or wife, even for heterosexual couples, can make other people feel more comfortable talking about their relationships.
- Ask people what their pronouns are, and make sure to correct others and respect the persons pronouns even when they are not around
Make sure your public appearance matches what you intend.
- Refer to LGBT relationships the same way you refer to other relationships.
- Display images of support like a pride flag
- Normalize someone having their chosen pronouns on their professional work.
- Sponsor events like pride.
- make a tangible or even financial commitment to inclusion.
Educate all employees
- Inclusive language training and education can be the biggest tool for helping make LGBT employees more comfortable.
- Making sure people in charge of hiring people have the most training since they will be someone's first interaction with the company.
- Blinding resumes by removing the name, gender, race, and any other indicator that may cause discrimination.
Strengthen policies
- domestic- partner benefits
- a nondiscrimination policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- a family-leave policy that treats all parents equally
- health insurance that covers hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery for employees seeking to transition
- medical leave for colleagues who are transitioning
- HR systems and documents that are inclusive of all genders and personal pronouns
- all-gender or gender-neutral restrooms so that employees can use the facilities where they feel most comfortable

Non-profits

Advocating for LGBTQ Equality in Your Workplace
Our Mission
By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
Pride at Work
Our Mission

We seek full equality without restrictions or barriers for LGBTQIA+ individuals in our workplaces, unions, and communities, creating a Labor Movement that cherishes diversity, promotes inclusion, encourages openness, and ensures safety & dignity. We do this through education, alliances, and building solidarity across our large and diverse communities.

Organizing in the spirit of “An Injury to One is An Injury to All”, we oppose all forms of bias and discrimination on the job, in our unions, and in the public square based on sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, age, disability, HIV status, marital status, religion, or political views.

We recognize that true justice and equality can only be achieved through an organized and empowered working class. We seek to promote the ability of all working people to self-organize and act collectively to advance the power, needs, and interests of the working class in addition to the principles of justice, true democracy, and equality.
Out & Equal
OUR MISSION

Out & Equal is the global convener, thought leader and catalyst actively working to achieve workplaces of equality and belonging - supporting LGBTQ+ employees and leaders who thrive in their careers and lives and achieve greater impact on the world.

Resources

LGBTQIA+ workplace study
A New LGBTQ Workforce Has Arrived—Inclusive Cultures Must Follow (2020)
The Relationship Between LGBT Inclusion and Economic Development: Emerging Economies
UCLA School of Law (2014)
‘Be in learning mode’: How employees — and employers — can navigate coming out as LGBTQ at work (2022)
Published by CNBC, June 2022