How to Provide LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace

LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace starts with the safety of opening up about one’s true self. It’s a journey of courage and authenticity. My first experience of coming out wasn’t with family or friends but with a coworker at my workplace. The conversation was marked by nervousness and anxiety but ended in acceptance and freedom.

The importance of open dialogue in a safe, professional environment cannot be overstated. This experience underscores workplaces’ vital role in fostering an environment where everyone feels included and celebrated for who they are. Establishing workplaces where such dialogues are encouraged is essential, ensuring that the spirit of Pride isn’t just a monthly celebration but an everyday reality.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essence of LGBTQ+ inclusion and ways to infuse the spirit of Pride every day in our professional settings, creating safe spaces brimming with diversity, equality, and respect.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace: Where We Are Today?

In recent years, we’ve seen significant changes globally regarding LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in workplaces. Businesses of all sizes and across various sectors create spaces where employees feel they belong.

Common types of spaces for LGBTQIA+ employees include (but are not limited to):

• Mentoring programs
• Employee resource groups
• Employee action networks
• Safe space initiatives
• Inclusion/DEI councils

If we’re looking at this from a legal perspective, many countries have made significant strides towards equality. In the US, a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2020 confirmed that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is a form of sex discrimination. Judges confirmed this under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This means that employers legally cannot make employment-related decisions based on an employee’s sexual orientation or transgender status.

Fast forward to 2022. A Deloitte survey shows 95% of LGBT+ employees believe that LGBT+ inclusion efforts, actions, and initiatives introduced by their employers have led to meaningful support and positive impact, especially allyship and allies programs and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). 

However, despite the positive outlook, 42% continue to experience non-inclusive behaviors at work — in both office and remote work environments — such as unwanted comments or jokes of a sexual nature, banters or jokes at their expense, unwanted physical contact, and being socially excluded. And these non-inclusive behaviors can often do more harm than good to employee retention.

Put plainly, although the ruling was seen as a major step forward in promoting equality and ending discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community, we still have a lot of work to do given that LGBTQIA+ individuals still face bias, lack of representation, and unequal benefits.

And this is where businesses and employers can make a difference.

How to Create an LGBTQ-Inclusive Workplace

From adding gender identity and sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policies and giving same-sex couples the same benefits as different-sex ones to rolling out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training and setting up groups for LGBTQ+ workers and their allies, many companies are stepping up and setting policies that surpass the legal basics. Let’s take a closer look at them one by one.

Develop and communicate anti-discrimination policies and practices

Every company should develop and execute a clear anti-discrimination policy. This policy should cover all aspects of employment, including hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination. Examples of anti-discrimination policies are:

• Equal employment opportunity: To ensure equal job opportunities for all, regardless of personal characteristics.
• Zero tolerance for harassment: To prohibit all forms of harassment and maintain a respectful, non-hostile work environment.
• Religious accommodation: To accommodate all religious practices respectfully and within reasonable means.
• Disability accommodation: To provide necessary adaptations to support employees with disabilities.
• Gender identity and expression: To uphold fair treatment for all, irrespective of gender identity or expression.
• Complaint and reporting procedure: To outline transparent processes for reporting discrimination or harassment.
• Retaliation prevention: To safeguard individuals who report issues from any form of retaliation.

Still, It’s not enough to just have these policies on paper. They must be actively communicated and reinforced across all levels of the organization. Regular meetings, newsletters, company-wide events, and dedicated internal communication campaigns are effective ways to ensure that all employees are aware of these policies and their implications.

The goal of anti-discrimination policies and practices is not just to comply with legal requirements but to foster a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and valued.

Ensure LGBTQ+ inclusive benefits

Now let’s talk benefits, literally. All employees, no matter who they are, should be able to access their benefits packages, including health insurance, family leave, relocation assistance, pension or retirement plans, etc.

There has also been a discussion around benefits for same-sex couples and transgender employees. We saw a great example where Starbucks, since 2012, covers gender reassignment surgery, and in 2018 began to cover a gost of procedures common in the LGBTQIA+ community, such as breast reduction or augmentation surgery, facial feminization, hair transplants, and more, for transgender partners in the US.

Not only do these inclusive benefits show how much you care and value your employees, but they also help with financial wellness for LGBTQ+ employees facing higher healthcare and family planning costs.

A smart move is to review your benefits packages regularly to ensure they meet the needs of all your team members. Inclusive benefits = equal, happy, healthy employees.

Provide training on LGBTQ+ awareness and sensitivity

DEI awareness and sensitivity training are having a moment right now. Noted DEI strategist and consultant Lily Zheng went into detail on the problems that exist in this market in her Harvard Business Review article, “The Failure of the DEI-Industrial Complex.” In the piece, Zheng writes:

While I encourage you to read the whole post yourself, her TL;DR here is that DEI and awareness training can work, but they more often than not don’t work because they’re not what an organization truly needs to enact change. It boils down to a key point Zheng offers:

Whether it’s debunking myths, addressing unconscious biases, or just sharing the right terminology, training sessions on LGBTQ+ inclusion, awareness, and sensitivity are valuable to have. But they will ultimately waste everyone’s time, energy, resources, and patience if they’re done in isolation of longer-term, institutional policy changes at your organization.

That said, even having these trainings at all will, at a minimum, help your LGBTQIA+ employees see that you’re making an effort. McKinsey reports LGBTQ+ workers whose organizations provided employee training on inclusion and unconscious bias were 1.4 times more likely to feel very included in the workplace. Just don’t let your efforts only rest on diversity and sensitivity training, as they are increasingly shown to have little to minimal impact on your core DEI goals when they’re the only strategy you employ.

Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGS)

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a resource for members and organizations by fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace. ERGs for LGBTQ+ employees and allies can provide a supportive network, improve employee connection and engagement, contribute to personal and professional development, and create a strong sense of belonging at work.

Thankfully, these are among the most common types of ERGs companies offer to their employees. ERG software company Diverst found that ERGs for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies are the second-most common within Fair360’s DiversityInc Top 50 list.

Netflix is an example of a business that supports and takes belonging and inclusion seriously. Their inclusion motto, “inclusion on-screen starts with inclusion in the office,” is reflected in 16 ERGs serving Latino/a/x, veteran, Black, and disability communities.

Encouraging ERGs shows that you’re not just talking the talk—you’re walking the walk when it comes to inclusion.

Encourage and practice active allyship

Allyship, both at work and at large, is the active support provided by individuals who are not part of marginalized communities but use their privilege to advocate for those groups. According to Deloitte, 82% of LGBTQIA+ employees believe that allyship helps them to be out at work, especially for transgender employees.

So what does it mean or take to become an ally? While allyship can take many forms in the workplace, here are some examples of what and how allyship looks like.

• Listening; really listening: Make and take time to listen to and learn from the experiences of marginalized colleagues, creating a respectful space for their voices to be heard.
• Speaking up: Use your privilege to challenge and speak up against discriminatory comments or practices when you see them, even when it’s uncomfortable. This includes reporting non-inclusive behaviors to HR or through formal channels.
• Mentorship: Offer to mentor individuals from underrepresented groups, providing guidance and support for their professional development. (This is really important, and we will dig deeper in the next section.)
• Amplification: Make a conscious effort to amplify the voices of those who may be overlooked or spoken over in meetings or discussions.
• Inclusive language: Use inclusive language and respect everyone’s pronoun and preferred name.
• Support of ERGs: Participate in and support ERGs, even those that don’t directly correlate with your own identities, to show solidarity and learn more about different experiences.

Allyship is not a label but an ongoing and active process of learning, listening, and standing up for others.

How Important Is Mentorship to LGBTQ+ Career Progression?

Terms like “underrepresented” or “marginalized” aren’t made up when it comes to LGBTQ+ career progression.

According to Out Leadership, as of March 2023, only 39 out of over 5,400 Fortune 500 board seats are occupied by LGBTQ+ directors. McKinsey reports 3 in 20 LGBTQ+ women and 6 in 20 LGBTQ+ men believe their sexual orientation will negatively affect their career advancement at work. It’s not only about the lack of representation but also the access or opportunity to represent in the first place.

Mentorship is a key driver of career progression for any professional, but for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, it can be even more critical—mentoring is a must.

Mentorship is an important building block in growing sponsorship. It can tremendously help advance LGBTQ+ inclusion and help employees advance in their careers to the extent that an LGBTQ+ interviewee told McKinsey, “Unless people are pulling you up, you’re not going to advance.”

For individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, a mentor can make the difference between merely surviving in the workplace and truly thriving. It’s up to companies to foster an environment where mentorship is valued, encouraged, and easily accessible for all workers.

What are the benefits of mentorship programs tailored specifically for LGBTQ+ employees?

1. Personalized guidance: Mentorship programs designed with LGBTQ+ employees in mind can provide specific, tailored advice and support that addresses the unique experiences and challenges this community may face in the workplace.
2. Increased retention: LGBTQ+-friendly mentorship programs can enhance job satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty, leading to higher retention rates.
3. Representation: Such programs can increase the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in higher roles, proving to mentees that advancement and success are truly possible.
4. Safe spaces: These programs create safe, understanding environments where mentees can express their concerns, experiences, and fears without judgment, which is particularly valuable for employees who may not feel comfortable discussing these topics in a wider setting.
5. Empowerment: These programs can empower LGBTQ+ employees by providing them with the resources, connections, and support they need to succeed professionally.

How to ensure LGBTQ+ inclusive mentoring programs are effective and authentic, not just performative

Recruit the right mentors

Ensure that mentors are genuinely supportive of LGBTQ+ inclusion and rights. They should be educated on LGBTQ+ experiences and challenges and willing to advocate for their mentees.

Provide training for mentors

Provide training for mentors to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support their LGBTQ+ mentees effectively. This could include education about the LGBTQ+ community, unconscious bias training, and lessons on empathy and active listening.

Encourage open communication

Maintain regular and open communication between mentors and mentees. Provide feedback mechanisms for mentees to express their experiences with the program and adjust based on their input.

Create a supportive environment

Establish a supportive and inclusive company culture. Mentorship programs can’t fix systemic issues alone; broader efforts toward inclusivity and equity must complement them.

Measure success

Establish clear metrics to measure the success and ROI of the mentorship program. This could include surveys, feedback, retention rates, or progression of mentees within the company.

Make a long-term commitment

Implementing a mentorship program is part of a long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion, not just a one-time initiative. Continuously revisit and revise the program as necessary.

Ways to Celebrate Pride in the Workplace?

There are many ways to celebrate Pride in the workplace, including Pride-oriented or inspired events like workshops, panel discussions, or guest speakers who can offer insights into LGBTQ+ inclusion, rights, history, or personal experiences in the workplace.

Visual support is another impactful method; this could involve decorating the office for Pride, using Pride-themed backgrounds in virtual meetings, or providing Pride gear and apparel to your employees so they can wear their Pride daily.

Outside the workplace, companies and businesses can also demonstrate their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by actively participating in local Pride events and parades, sponsoring LGBTQ+ events/community service, or collaborating with local LGBTQ+ organizations.  Deloitte reports that 31% of LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable being out at work when allies participate in employer-sponsored Pride events.

Celebrating Pride in the workplace isn’t about a one-time event; it’s about fostering a culture of ongoing inclusion. Every employee, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has a role in making the workplace safe, inclusive, and welcoming.

LGBTQIA+ Support Starts with You

Bringing the spirit of Pride into the workplace is paramount. The true essence of Pride Month goes beyond a celebration; it’s about authentic inclusion. We’re talking about fostering a work environment where everyone feels acknowledged, respected, and has equal opportunities to thrive, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.