Without federal ban on sexual orientation discrimination, companies left to develop own policies
Nearly one-fifth of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered employees in the United States aren’t promoted because of their sexual orientation, according to a recent survey.
Even though more employers have enacted gay-friendly policies, many employees are still without protection and experience anti-gay harassment and discrimination at work, said Kevin Cathcar, executive director of Lambda Legal, which conducted the national survey. Nineteen per cent of respondents said they felt they weren't promoted because of their sexual orientation.
The survey of 1,205 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) employees found that 54 per cent said gay-friendly, non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies were critical to their decisions about where to work. Another 38 per cent said these policies contribute to their happiness.
While there is no federal law that bans discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and only 18 states have legal protection for LBGT employees, organizations are enacting policies on their own.
Last year, the Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Equality Index granted a 100-per-cent rating to 101 companies based on their policies that protect LGBT employees. Four years ago, only 14 companies received a perfect rating.
Even though more employers have enacted gay-friendly policies, many employees are still without protection and experience anti-gay harassment and discrimination at work, said Kevin Cathcar, executive director of Lambda Legal, which conducted the national survey. Nineteen per cent of respondents said they felt they weren't promoted because of their sexual orientation.
The survey of 1,205 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) employees found that 54 per cent said gay-friendly, non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies were critical to their decisions about where to work. Another 38 per cent said these policies contribute to their happiness.
While there is no federal law that bans discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and only 18 states have legal protection for LBGT employees, organizations are enacting policies on their own.
Last year, the Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Equality Index granted a 100-per-cent rating to 101 companies based on their policies that protect LGBT employees. Four years ago, only 14 companies received a perfect rating.
