New research shows almost 40% of LGBTQ+ employees still hide their identity at work in the UK

 

Almost 40 per cent of LGBTQ+ people in the UK are still in the closet at work for “fear of discrimination”, a new report by Stonewall has found. 

The statistics come as the new Trump administration has rolled back federal commitments to DEI programmes, and threatened future action on private companies.  

The report found that two in five (39 per cent) queer employees feel they need to hide their sexuality or gender identity at work, while over a quarter (26 per cent) of LGBTQ+ people experienced negative comments from customers or clients because of their identity. 

The research also found that 12 per cent of LGBTQ+ employees believed they were fired or dismissed for their identity, which constitutes illegal discrimination in the UK. 

The consequences of discrimination meant LGBTQ+ people experienced impostor syndrome at work, fearing they might be seen as a “diversity hire”, and they avoided corporate events because of feeling uncomfortable, or they altered their appearance to blend in.

Check the report here.