Active allyship: Do your LGBTQ+ employees feel supported and included?

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LGBTQ+ visibility has become more common in the media and across the private and public sectors in the United States in recent years. To keep up, businesses are becoming more adept at adopting inclusive-language practices and undertaking other allyship efforts to attract a more diverse workforce.

Despite these moves, there is a disconnect, as many members of the LGBTQ+ community report feeling vulnerable, underrepresented, and unable to bring their whole selves to the workplace, according to our research. And the issues that the community faces are as pressing as ever: there have recently been movements across the United States to limit the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and particularly those of transgender individuals.

McKinsey’s studies have helped uncover nuances in the experiences of the LGBTQ+ population. Our research analyzed data from the United States and includes responses from more than 4,000 LGBTQ+ employees among the more than 60,000 employees surveyed across industries, occupations, and geographies. The results highlight the need for companies to gain better understanding of and provide support for the populations that they employ. The following are some of the most striking findings.

Often an ‘only’

Two-thirds of surveyed gay and lesbian employees report being an ‘only’ in the workplace.

On guard against microaggressions

LGBTQ+ employees, especially bisexual and trans employees, are more likely than other surveyed employees to be wary of hybrid work.

Hybrid work may pose additional difficulties

LGBTQ+ employees, especially bisexual and trans employees, are more likely than other surveyed employees to be wary of hybrid work.

Mental-health discussions off limits

LGBTQ+ employees are less likely than other surveyed employees to feel comfortable talking about mental-health issues.

Workplaces fall short on LGBTQ+ inclusion

Straight allies can help through stronger allyship actions

LGBTQ+ employees are more likely than other surveyed employees to consider themselves allies and practice active allyship.
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