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The 'LGBT+WFH' research report is available as a free download from this link.
A study released by the global research and workplace training consultancy Out Now reveals that substantial numbers of people in the LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans +) community worry that working from home could have damaging outcomes for them at work.
Out Now's 'LGBT+WFH' research report is based on the views of more than 2,000 respondents from 38 countries and shows that such concerns are prevalent among LGBT+ people from around the world.
People who choose to visibly support LGBT+ inclusion at work, known as "allies", also expressed their concerns that remote working is making it harder for support for LGBT+ inclusion to be a visible part of daily working lives.
After years investing in strengthening LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace, the 'LGBT+WFH' research findings show that there currently exists a clear risk for business, presented by the new working environment. If remote working reduces LGBT+ visibility, the many personal and commercial advantages, delivered by effective employee inclusion, risks becoming substantially diminished as a result.
Key findings
More than two out of three respondents said that new ways are needed to discuss LGBT+ inclusion at work when working from home. Respondents also strongly supported a number of new initiatives able to show visibility and support for LGBT+ inclusion.
- Globally, 58% of LGBT+ respondents feel that "visibility is
more difficult now".
- 46% say that "the topic of LGBT+ inclusion is discussed less
often with colleagues when working from home".
- 70% of LGBT+ respondents and 73% of allies said that "we need new ways to discuss LGBT+ inclusion at work".
The study is supported by Fujitsu and Switzerland Tourism. Fieldwork was carried out over a 10-month period as employers responded to multiple lockdowns during the course of the pandemic.
Previous research work by Out Now has shown there is a nexus between the extent to which LGBT+ people feel able to be out with their colleagues and productivity levels, as well as an increased likelihood that LGBT+ people want to stay with their current employer when they feel able to be out with all their colleagues at work.
Included with the report is an Out Now 'LGBT+WFH' Toolkit. This
provides a set of key actions which LGBT+ allies, employees and
managers can implement - to ensure the ongoing visibility of
inclusion at work when working remotely. The Toolkit delivers
information to assist in meeting the requirements of ensuring LGBT+
inclusion remains both visible and effective.
Respondents to the study expressed a strong preference for being
able to work in a 'hybrid' way - combining both in-office and
remote working - into the future.
Christian Benson, vice president, client managing director, Fujitsu and Executive Sponsor of the Fujitsu Europe Pride LGBT+ network, says: "The Out Now 'LGBT+WFH' research is an important study that is helping us to develop meaningful actions that achieve better LGBT+ inclusion. With hybrid working here to stay and with millions of people around the world likely to spend more of their time working remotely in the future, the findings of this research help with practical guidance on how to create an inclusive hybrid culture for LGBT+ colleagues and allies. Achieving this can benefit all members of our team."
The 'LGBT+WFH' research report is available as a free download from this link.