Almost 50% of LGBTQ workers have faced workplace discrimination

Many employees across California and the nation face some type of discrimination in the workplace. Yet, for members of the LGBTQ community, the chance of falling victim to such treatment is much higher. Research shows that almost half of all LGBTQ workers across the nation face discrimination in the workplace. Also, LGBTQ workers of color are particularly frequent targets.

According to NBC News, a survey of 935 LGBTQ workers employed in various industries across America revealed sobering statistics about how often they experience discrimination on the job.

LGBTQ workers and workplace discrimination

The survey of LGBTQ workers across the United States revealed that 46% reported experiencing workplace discrimination due to their sexual orientations or gender identities. In some instances, workers lost out on jobs, promotions or raises because of who they were or how they identified. In other cases, they faced exclusion from business events or had their roles terminated. Others yet found themselves subjected to verbal or sexual harassment on the job, while some started receiving bad shifts or low-performance reviews because of how they identified.

LGBTQ workers of color and workplace discrimination

LBGTQ workers of color reported workplace discrimination more often than white LGBTQ workers. Almost 30% of LGBTQ workers of color said they lost out on a position because of their sexual preferences or gender identity. Meanwhile, only 18% of white LGBTQ employees said the same. Almost 40% also reported facing verbal harassment compared to 26% of white LGBTQ workers surveyed.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prevents most employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.