If you are queer and afraid of discrimination, is there a way you can find out ahead of time if a company is a safe place for you to work?
Hi! My name is Anina and I'm a high school senior interning at CareerVillage. One of my best friends is queer, and once had to quit their job because the environment was not very friendly towards them. How can you make sure that your workplace is LGBT+ friendly? #human-resources #company-culture #lgbtqa
6 answers
Chip’s Answer
Hi Anina, HRC is a great resource to check out which companies actively support LGBTQ people. They have an annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) that is very comprehensive, covering many topics. Check it out here: https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index
You may also want to check out Glassdoor, they often have great insight into a company's culture, the way the treat their employees, and what sort of benefits are offered. While not specifically addressing safety in the workplace, it might give some additional insight.
Chip recommends the following next steps:
Darren S.
Darren’s Answer
PwC LGBT Inclusion:
https://www.pwc.com/us/en/about-us/diversity/pwc-glbt-inclusion.html
Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (2017)
https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index
Madhavi’s Answer
Hi Anina,
I'd suggest asking the recruiter if there are any ERGs for the LGBTQ= community at the company and request to have a conversation with leads/members of this group. ERGs are usually very aware of the challenges and opportunities for members of their communities.
Amanda’s Answer
Andrea’s Answer
At the end of the day, it will be your relationship with your manager/direct supervisor what will shape your experience. Discuss this during the hiring process so you can find out early on. (You do not need to out yourself if you do not feel comfortable coming out) but you can ask open ended questions like these:
Questions to ask during the interview process:
- What does X Company's discrimination policy looks like?
- How do you evaluate diversity of LGBTQ+ employees in the company?
- How would you describe the code of conduct and policies against discrimination in your company?
- How would you evaluate diversity within your team?
- What's your experience managing/working with/leading non-white cis men?
Pavani’s Answer
Yes, there are a number of career websites out there where employees write reviews about their experiences both positive and negative. I would encourage you to read these reviews before making decisions. Also during interviews make sure you ask your potential employer the kind of work culture that is encouraged in the workplace. Diversity, and ethnicity mix is important too - make sure you have knowledge about that before you accept an offer.
Another interesting way is to ask your future (potential) boss how he/she handles conflicts within the team. That will give you a sense of the working style of the people you will be working closely with.