Most gay and bisexual workers hide sexuality
Research show there are more than 130,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the workforce. There are more than 300,000 LGBT people in Ireland.
“Irish research has found that almost 60% of LGBT workers surveyed were not out generally in the workplace, said Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) director Davin Roche at the launch of an equality guide for employers.
“Many feel being open about their sexual orientation with their colleagues could damage their career, promotion prospects or professional relationships. This is something we need to address and change as a society if we are to be truly competitive on a global scale,” Mr Roche said.
His comments were echoed by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan who launched the Workplace Diversity Guide. “Openness to diversity including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will be a critical part of our success as an advanced, competitive and ‘smart’ global economy,” said the Tánaiste.
Supported by the employers’ representative body IBEC, multinational IBM, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Business in the Community and the Equality Authority, the guide published by GLEN is a practical toolkit for employers and trades unions in implementing cultural and diversity policies in the workplace.
In a foreword to the guide, Ms Coughlan highlights the role of diversity in the economy and says that employers and trades unions need to “come out” to their LGBT employees as offering positive and inclusive places to work.
“Diversity brings with it an openness to new ideas, more creative workforces and innovation, which is at the heart of where Ireland wants to be as a participant in the wider global economy,” said the minister.
Mr Roche said many LGBT workers are worried about being open about their sexual orientation with colleagues.
“It is particularly appropriate that on the same day as this guide is bring launched, the Civil Partnership Bill is going into committee stage in the Dáil,” he said.
“By giving extensive rights and responsibilities to lesbian and gay couples, Civil Partnership will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for global and multinational companies with diverse employee groups. It is incumbent on all employers to now plan for the implications of this bill for their employees and work practices in areas such as pension provisions and other workplace benefits.”
Speaking at the launch, Ciarán Ennis, head of communications, marketing and corporate citizenship at IBM Ireland, said this year marks the 25th anniversary of its global lesbian, gay and bisexual non-discrimination policy.
“At IBM, we pride ourselves on delivering a working environment whichreflects equality of opportunity and experience for all. Diversity constitutes our character, our identity and ultimately our success – it is in our DNA.”
