Homophobia Still Alive in the UK Workplace
March 02, 2010
Stonewall list of the top 100 gay friendliest employers includes the likes of Goldman Sachs, Ernst and Young and Transport for London; IBM tops the list. All of these companies have a proven record of affording LGBT equality in the workplace.
Stonewall’s communications officer calls the top 100 list a gauge into a company’s practices and offers LGBT a clearer picture of where to direct their talent and energy.
“We believe people can perform better when they can be themselves,” he says.
Stonewall’s research shows that “concealing sexual orientation at work reduces productivity by up to 30%, and people who are out in supportive workplaces are more creative, loyal and productive.”
Ian Johnson of Out Now Consulting agrees with Stonewall’s findings.
"With about 6% of staff being either lesbian or gay, smart companies today understand that encouraging effective LGBT equality and diversity policies at work delivers strong returns in terms of both workplace productivity and worker retention," he says.
However, despite more employers hopping on the bandwagon of LGBT equality in the workplace, homophobia has not dipped into the annals of history in the UK.
Out Now Consulting has found that five in every ten employees fear coming out at work could limit their career prospects.
"It is disturbing that more than half of gays and lesbians in the UK think that being out at work has the potential to hold back their career prospects,” says Johnson. “This is an area where UK employers clearly need to do more work."
If employers want to reduce costs and retain loyal workers, LGBT positive policies would benefit companies.
"Losing a gay staff member because they felt uncomfortable at work is not only bad for productivity, it is expensive to replace these lost workers," says Johnson.
Stonewall’s latest research mirrors Johnson’s words of wisdom. "Prejudice has human costs for staff, but also bottom line costs for employers in legal fees, recruiting, inducting and training new staff."
Peter Burton of the Trades Union Congress - which fights for LGBT protections in the work environment - says a profound shift in consciousness is needed before LGBT can feel safe at work.
"Discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation in the workplace needs to start being seen by society and employers in the same unacceptable light as discrimination on the grounds of race or gender."
Image author: Welleman
