Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers. equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Workers
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

A Qualitative Research Study

Fiona Colgan, Chris Creegan, Aidan McKearney and Tessa Wright Comparative Organisation and Equality Research Centre (COERC) London Metropolitan University

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Workers: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Acknowledgements We would liketo thank the Advisory Board who provided us with assistance, advice and information during the conduct of the research, which led to this report. We would also like to thank the case study organisations for recognizing the value of a study in this area and for participating in and facilitating the research. Finally, thanks go to all the key informants, managers, union representatives, LGBTorganisation representatives and lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents who agreed to participate. Without their willingness to share their views and experiences this research would not have been possible.

The Comparative Organisation and Equality Research Centre The Comparative Organisation and Equality Research Centre (COERC) is an accredited University research centre, located in the BusinessSchool at London Metropolitan University and affiliated to the Working Lives Research Institute. It provides a platform for the conduct, dissemination and debate of interdisciplinary research into employment, work organisation and equality and diversity in comparative and international perspective. Co Directors: Fiona Colgan and Stephen Perkins. For further information see www.workinglives.org.

1Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Workers: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

CHAPTER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Chapter 1: Introduction

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Chapter 2: Methodology

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Chapter 3: Good practice organizations Chapter 4: Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers: sexual identity and work Chapter 5: Lesbian, gay and bisexual Workers: Sexual identity within organisations Chapter 6:Lesbian, gay and bisexual perceptions of organisational and workplace culture Chapter 7: Discrimination and harassment against lesbian, gay and bisexual workers Chapter 8: Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers’ perceptions of organisational policy and practice

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Chapter 9: Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers’ experiences of 120 groups and networks Chapter 10: Lesbian, gayand bisexual workers’ awareness and perceptions of the impact of the Sexual Orientation Regulations Chapter 11: Implications for policy and practice Appendices 137

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Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Workers: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Figures and tables Table 3.1: Progress on LGB Issues Table 3.2: Organisational approaches to equality and diversity Figure 3.1:Voluntary sector policy Figure 3.2: Private sector policy Figure 3.3: Local authority policy Figure 3.4: Private sector policy Table 4.1: Factors influencing the work and career choices of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees Figure 5.1: LGB respondents Out at Work by employment sector Table 5.1: Experiences of coming out gradually Table 5.2: Personal circumstances influencing a decision to comeout

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Table 5.3: Work related circumstances influencing a decision to 57 come out Table 5.4: Disclosure factors influencing a decision to come out 58 Figure 5.2: To whom are you not out? Table 5.5: Factors which helped people come out Table 5.6: Benefits of coming out Table 5.7: Factors which prevent people coming out Table 5.8: Ways of not coming outTable 6.1: Factors influencing organisational and workplace culture Table 6.2: Manifestations of culture and attitudes 59 61 62 63 65 67

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Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Workers: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Figure 7.1: Experience of discrimination by employment sector Figure 7.2: Experience of harassment by employment sector Table 7.1: Forms of discrimination...