As Pride Month comes to an end, the TUC’s latest poll has revealed widespread lack of support for LGBTQ+ people at work.
According to the UK’s biggest trade union body, one in five (21%) workplaces do not have any policies in place to support their LGBTQ+ staff at work. The poll of around 1,000 HR managers – run for the TUC by YouGov also revealed that only one in eight employers monitor their LGBTQ+ pay gap; and only one in three companies who have LGBTQ+ policies have updated them in the last 12 months.
More worryingly, only half (51%) of managers surveyed said they have a policy prohibiting discrimination, bullying and harassment against LGBTQ+ workers in their workplace. Less than half (47%) said they have a clear reporting route for workers to raise concerns about discrimination, bullying and harassment against LGBTQ+ workers – even though one in seven (15%) managers have responded to bullying, harassment or discrimination against one or more LGBTQ+ workers.
WORKPLACE LGBTQ+ POLICIES
Additionally, just one in four (25%) managers said that they have a policy setting out support for trans (including non-binary) workers who wish to transition to live as another gender. Furthermore, less than half (47%) of HR managers said they have family policies (such as adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental leave policies) that apply equally to LGBTQ+ workers.
Of those HR managers whose workplaces that have LGBTQ+ policies in place, only around one in three (34%) have reviewed those policies in the last 12 months. More than one in four (28%) can’t remember when they last looked at them.
LGBTQ+ PAY GAP
Another huge concern is the LGBTQ+ pay gap. The most recent research suggests there is a 16% LGBTQ+ pay gap, meaning LGBTQ workers are effectively paid £6,703 less per year. However, the new poll revealed that only one in eight (13%) workplaces currently monitor the pay gap between LGBTQ+ workers’ pay and non-LGBTQ+ workers’ pay.
The TUC said it’s not unsurprised that only one in five (20%) managers said that they have a LGBTQ+ action plan to address inequalities identified through monitoring exercises. “Lesbian, gay, bi and trans people deserve to feel safe and to be respected at work. But it’s shocking so many workplaces don’t have specific policies in place to support their LGBTQ+ staff,” stated TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “Without these policies, too many LGBTQ+ workers experience bullying, harassment and discrimination at work. A step change is long overdue. Ministers must introduce a new duty on employers to protect all workers from harassment by customers and clients.”
She added that the “Government should also introduce a statutory requirement for large employers to report on their LGBTQ+ pay gaps – in the same way they do their gender pay gaps – with action plans detailing how bosses will address these inequalities”.
GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED
The TUC is calling on the government to introduce a range of measures to support LGBTQ+ people at work, including:
- LGBTQ+ pay gap reporting: Ministers should introduce a statutory requirement for large employers to report their LGBTQ+ pay gaps and employment rates – with regular monitoring and action plans detailing how employers will address these inequalities. Polling suggests that the LGBTQ+ pay gap is around 16%.
- Protection from workplace bullying and harassment: The government must consult with unions on a strategy to make sure workplaces are safe for all LGBTQ+ people. As a minimum, the government should introduce a new duty on employers to protect workers from harassment by customers and clients.
According to another recent study, 70% of LGBTQ+ employees do not feel fully included at work. Click here to read more.
Sign up for our newsletter
