LGBTI employees who aren’t out at work suffer professionally, according to a new report.
Produced by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and sponsored by Deloitte, the Out at Work report surveyed 1,600 LGBTI employees.
It found only 32% of these employees were out to all of their colleagues at work.
It also found not being out at work compromises wellbeing and decreases productivity.
Workers who were not out to everyone at work were almost 50% less satisfied with their job compared to colleagues who were out to everyone. They were also twice as likely to be ‘downhearted’ at work.
Diversity Council of Australia CEO Lisa Annese believes the results of the report prove being out, proud and open at work is essential.
But it starts with LGBTI-inclusive employees.
Annese said: ‘A large proportion of LGBTIQ+ employees are still not comfortable being themselves at work. And yet hiding who they are can be costly not only to their own wellbeing, but also to the organizations they work for.
‘This report comprehensively quantifies the business case for creating LGBTIQ+ inclusive workplaces in Australia.
‘I urge employers to take a good look at what they can do to take advantage of the benefits; not only for their LGBTIQ+ employees, but for their organization as a whole,’ she said.
LGBTI employees
The report also found LGBTI employees who are out to everyone at work are:
- 50% more likely to innovate than workers who are not out to everyone.
- 35% more likely to work highly effectively in their team.
- 28% more likely to provide excellent customer/client service.
Lead researcher Dr Raymond Trau believes people should just whether or not to come out on a case by case basis.
He said: ‘Many people realize coming out at work is complex but don’t always realize that it’s not a one-off event.
‘Even LGBTIQ+ workers who are very comfortable with their identity and have come out many times still need to think twice when they work in a job or occupation that is homophobic, transphobic or not LGBTIQ+ inclusive.
‘This explains why our findings still show that coming out remains a problem in the workplace,’ he said.
See also:
Virgin CEO Richard Branson explains why LGBTI diversity is good for business
Equal in love but not yet equal at work: the next frontier of LGBT rights
Investment giants urged to do more to support LGBTI staff