Despite employees’ hesitancy to talk about any aspect of their private lives at work and concerns about being treated differently, more UK LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable being out at work with anyone than their global counterparts (52% in the UK compared to 43% globally).
Deloitte’s 2023 LGBT+ Inclusion @ Work report found that LGBTQ+ workers are also more likely to feel comfortable being out with anyone the more senior they are within their organisation. Across all levels of seniority, UK respondents are more likely to be out than their global counterparts (45% in UK junior roles vs 37% globally; 60% in UK senior roles vs 51% globally).
More than half of respondents (59%) think that allyship plays an important role in helping people be open about their LGBTQ+ identity at work. Compared to the UK, a significant number of people globally are worried that being out would affect their career opportunities (12% in the UK vs 26% globally) or that they would face discrimination or harassment (25% in the UK vs 32% globally).
Deloitte’s Jackie Henry, said: “When organisations foster diversity and show their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, it can have a significantly positive impact on their people’s experiences in the workplace. However, the findings show that organisations still need to do more to provide a safe environment in which LGBTQ+ employees feel able to be themselves at work.”
