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Being Yourself at Work: A Challenge for LGBTQ+ Individuals
Many LGBTQ+ individuals feel the need to hide their identity in the workplace. Why? Because revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity can expose them to discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.
On the other hand, staying silent means avoiding certain conversations with colleagues, modifying their language, or even lying about their personal lives. This dual challenge creates stress and can harm both well-being and job performance.
The solution? Working in a truly inclusive environment.
Discrimination and Harassment: Illegal but Still Present
In Canada, laws protect employees from harassment and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. However, legal protections alone are not always enough to prevent biases and unconscious prejudices that hinder inclusion.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- About two-thirds of trans people believe that disclosing their gender identity during a hiring process would reduce their chances of getting hired.
- More than a quarter of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people report experiencing workplace harassment due to their sexual orientation.
These realities highlight the importance of active employer engagement in ensuring a respectful and inclusive work environment.
An Inclusive Workplace Pays Off!
Fostering a workplace that is inclusive of sexual and gender diversity offers many benefits:
Retaining Talent
Companies that do not promote a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ employees risk losing valuable talent without understanding why. On the other hand, a workplace where everyone can be themselves encourages engagement and employee retention.
Attracting New Talent
A 2020 McKinsey & Company study found that 39% of job candidates have turned down a job offer due to a perceived lack of inclusion within the organization.
Boosting Productivity and Innovation
When employees feel included and valued, they perform better. A Deloitte study shows that:
- Innovation capacity increases by 83% when employees perceive their company as inclusive.
- Team collaboration improves by 42%.
- Employees feel twice as engaged and are more present at work.
Encouraging Creativity
A diverse team brings a broader range of perspectives and ideas. By incorporating a variety of backgrounds and experiences, companies and organizations are better equipped to meet the needs of their clients.
Creating a More Inclusive Work Atmosphere
LGBTQ+ inclusion doesn’t only benefit LGBTQ+ individuals. Employees who are perceived as LGBTQ+, those who do not conform to gender norms, and those with LGBTQ+ loved ones also thrive in a respectful and supportive work environment.
Our Services for More Inclusive Workplaces
Since 2016, Fondation Émergence has been supporting businesses and organizations in their efforts to include LGBTQ+ individuals.
🔹 2016: Publication of the first French-language guide on trans inclusion, in collaboration with Aide aux Trans du Québec.
🔹 2020: Launch of the ProAllié program, offering training, support, and practical tools to create inclusive workplaces.
🔹 Today: Enhanced expertise to help organizations implement inclusive practices and foster a respectful and equitable work environment for all.
Need support? Contact us to learn how to make your organization a place where every employee can thrive.
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