To understand the impact of COVID-19 on, and the level of support for, the LGBTQ+ community at work, LinkedIn conducted a survey to more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ professionals in the U.S. The key findings below highlight that the LGBTQ+ community is facing high unemployment due to COVID-19, and while many professionals have made the decision to come out at work and do feel supported, there is still a lot of work left to be done.
The LGBTQ+ community has been heavily impacted by COVID-19
- Just under a quarter (24%) of respondents indicated they have been laid off or furloughed.
- Of those who have been laid off or furloughed, almost 4 in 10 (38%) respondents said they think being open about being LGBTQ+ will impact their job search.
The decision to come out at work can be both challenging and beneficial
- Over a third, (37%) of respondents said yes, they are out at work, and just under 3 in 10 (29%) respondents said no they are not out at work.
- For those who indicated they are not out at work, the reasons why are:
- 42% of respondents are not out at work because they don’t think it’s necessary.
- 33% of respondents are not out at work because they don’t feel comfortable disclosing that information at work.
- 30% of respondents are not out at work because they are worried that they would be treated differently.
- 26% of respondents are not out at work because they are worried that it would limit certain professional opportunities.
- 24% of respondents are not out at work because they don’t think their workplace would be supportive.
- 18% of respondents are not out at work because they are worried about losing their job.
- For those who indicated they are out at work:
- More than half (55%) of respondents said their professional community was supportive of them coming out.
- 78% of respondents feel/felt supported and/or accepted by their immediate team when they came out.
- Just under 8 in 10 (79%) respondents said they do/did feel supported by management/leadership when they came out.
- 52% of respondents said being out at work has made them feel more comfortable and authentically them.
- 34% of respondents said being out at work has allowed them to be able to connect with others like them for more support.
- 31% of respondents said being out at work has allowed them to be able to build better relationships with their professional community.
Support for LGBTQ+ employees is paramount
- Over 9 in 10 (95%) respondents said support for LGBTQ+ employees from a future employer is important, and 31% of respondents said their current company does not have resources for LGBTQ+ employees.
- For those whose companies have benefits for LGBTQ+ workers:
- 67% of respondents said their company has equal opportunity hiring practices for LGBTQ+ employees.
- 49% of respondents said their company has specific protections or policies for LGBTQ+ workers.
- 48% of respondents said their employers could create more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ employees to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Note: LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and “plus,” which represents other sexual identities including pansexual, asexual and omnisexual.
