Professional LGBTQ+ workers face discrimination

Many LGBTQ+ professionals face discrimination in the workplace, from biases in recruitment and promotion to diminished confidence that begins early in life and continues into their careers.

Barriers to LGBTQ+ career progression in the UK also points out how intersectionality — being LGBTQ+ and also a woman, disabled, or from an ethnic minority or working-class background — can exacerbate these challenges.

Based on a survey of 1,017 LGBTQ+ people across the UK, the study, from the Pride in Leadership organisation, found that:

• 85% have encountered career obstacles related to their LGBTQ+ identity;

• 42% reported insufficient support from HR;

• the vast majority (93%) believe there may be bias in recruitment processes; and

• only 5% of trans individuals report facing no workplace barriers.

The report also finds that pay gap and reporting transparency remain unaddressed.

Unlike gender pay gap reporting, there is no legal requirement for LGBTQ+ pay gap reporting, leaving many unaware of whether pay disparities exist.

The report says: “The lack of intersectional pay data also means that LGBTQ+ professionals who face multiple layers of discrimination remain invisible in workforce analytics.”

Barriers offers a number of recommendations, including that employers move “beyond performative allyship” and embed LGBTQ+ inclusion in leadership, policies, and training.