Human resource professionals in New Jersey and around the country have the tough task of overseeing large and diverse workplace atmospheres. As awareness increases around specific groups, recruiters and HR managers have a difficult conversation. Employment professionals are transparent about these critical data points.
Discrimination trends
Frequent protests from the LGBTQ community are making traction and garnering attention. Their outcries have created some unexpected side effects. Workplace studies and widespread media coverage are the most notable actions to date.
Multiple data sources show an alarming set of trends:
- Nearly half of the LGB community members polled reported that their employers openly discriminated against based on sexual orientation.
- Only 7% of C-Level leadership members polled identified as openly LGB.
- Black employees experienced more severe discrimination in two categories (ethnicity and sexual orientation).
- White employees reported the lowest instance of severe discrimination, with about 4% depicting verbal or physical threats of violence.
This sampling covered a six-month period and polled over 6,000 members of the workforce. These statistics are alarming, to say the least.
Education and compassion
Workplace discrimination and harassment continue to occur across virtually every professional industry. The discrimination rate among LGBTQ employees is perhaps the highest ever reported.
What is the root cause of LGBTQ discrimination and harassment in the workplace? Many comments and actions are simply the results of ignorance. Coworkers and even managers make hurtful comments or ask inappropriate questions without malicious intention. Fear-based comments and actions are far more concerning.
Regardless of the intent behind the comment or action, workplace discrimination and harassment is completely unacceptable. Every workplace is required to provide the basic right of safety and security to every employee.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of workplace discrimination, support is available. Employment law professionals offer both legal guidance and steps toward an immediate resolution.