How allyship can help LGBTQ+ professionals have a better sense of workplace belonging
CNBC
7/15/2022
© Provided by CNBC
When it comes to workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion, it's up to top management to ensure their initiatives create a more positive work environment. However, when it comes to supporting professionals of color and LGBTQ+ talent, coworkers also have a responsibility to their underserved peers: allyship.
Being out at work is stressful for many LGBTQ+ professionals, according to a recent report from LinkedIn that says 47% of out LGBTQ+ professionals feel like they are coming out on a regular basis in the office. This constant anxiety has resulted in 34% preferring to work remotely, as it relieves the in-person stress of disclosing their identity with their coworkers.
Similarly, 40% of LGBTQ+ professionals believes that remote work helps them stay away from potential workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation & gender identity, like name-calling and micro-aggressions.
Allyship can directly combat this issue and help the office be a more comfortable and safe space for LGBTQ+ workers.
According to the Freedom Forum Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering first amendment rights, "an ally is a trusted source for good." They educate themselves on the discrimination and prejudice minority groups face, are willing to listen to other's points-of-view and learn from them, and they vouch for others when necessary.
Drew McCaskill, a LinkedIn career expert, sits at the intersection of being Black and an openly gay executive, and says he's just recently become more comfortable being himself at work.
"I was in my 30s before I was comfortable being an out, Black, gay executive," he tells CNBC Make It. "Racism still exists in corporate America. We dress it up in more palatable terms like 'bias,' but racism exists. It was hard enough to excel at work as a Black man. I felt I had to prove myself in professional spaces before I had the luxury of saying, 'By the way, I'm gay, too.'"
McCaskill says that "identifying an ally, mentor, coach or sponsor can be instrumental in helping you navigate company culture and sometimes difficult situations. They've been there and may know some tips/tricks."
Video: Celebrating Pride: Importance of covering LGBTQ+ stories and how to be an ally to the community (CNBC)
-
US Economy Added 528,000 Jobs in July
Money Talks News -
Schools scrambling to fill teacher vacancies before students return from summer break
FOX News -
NV school district to resume classes with 1,400+ job vacancies
CNN -
July jobs report doubles expectations
CNN -
Florida encourages veterans to fill teacher vacancies at schools
FOX News
-
US Economy Added 528,000 Jobs in July US Economy Added , 528,000 Jobs in July. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Aug. 5, . America added 528,000 nonfarm payrolls for July. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%. The report exceeded Dow Jones estimates of 258,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate of 3.6% for the month. . July's 528,000 added jobs marks a significant increase from the 372,000 jobs added the month prior. . CNBC reports that average hourly earnings also increased 0.5% for July and 5.2% compared to a year ago. Daniel Zhao, a senior economist at the career site Glassdoor, says the increase in hiring contradicts typical recession conditions. It would be very unusual to have a recession when we’re still adding several hundred thousand jobs a month, Daniel Zhao, a senior economist at the career site Glassdoor, via ABC News. But as inflation remains at its highest level in over 40 years, the Federal Reserve continues to aggressively hike interest rates, which could slow job creation. But as inflation remains at its highest level in over 40 years, the Federal Reserve continues to aggressively hike interest rates, which could slow job creation. Recently, major companies such as Walmart and Robinhood have announced layoffs and hiring slowdowns. Recently, major companies such as Walmart and Robinhood have announced layoffs and hiring slowdowns
Money Talks News
-
Schools scrambling to fill teacher vacancies before students return from summer break New York school district superintendent Jesse Coburn breaks down the shortage and if politics can be blamed.
FOX News
-
NV school district to resume classes with 1,400+ job vacancies As the teacher shortage hits crisis levels nationwide, some states are scrambling to bring educators into their classrooms. CNN's Fredricka Whitfield spoke with Superintendent Jesus Jara, whose Nevada school district is about to resume with over 1,400+ job vacancies.
CNN
He further reiterates that allyship is essential for workplace belonging, which is important to 75% of LGBTQ+ talent. It's up to colleagues to make sure they're being inclusive to their peers.
"LGBTQ+ professionals say the top ways colleagues can support them in the workplace are by taking a stand if they hear an inappropriate comment, educating themselves with inclusion and anti-bias training, reporting any discrimination they see to HR and by respecting proper pronouns for gender identification," McCaskill says.
McCaskill encourages LGBTQ+ professionals to also be allies to each other by participating in employee resource groups, which foster diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing support and development for employees sharing the same experience or identity.
A collective effort from executives and colleagues is essential to creating a better environment for LGBTQ+ professionals in, and beyond, the office.
"Employees have more voice and more choice than they've ever had, and there is a new expectation for employers to live their diversity, inclusion and belonging values in ways that impact societal change as well as corporate culture," McCaskill says.
Check out:
An expert's message to Black women burned out at work: 'Workplace DEI is a company issue, not yours'
8 years after her last acting role, Cameron Diaz has 'un-retired'—here's what she's been up to
Black women are in 'survival mode' at work—and company diversity efforts 'fall short'
-
US Economy Added 528,000 Jobs in July
Money Talks News -
Schools scrambling to fill teacher vacancies before students return from summer break
FOX News -
NV school district to resume classes with 1,400+ job vacancies
CNN -
July jobs report doubles expectations
CNN -
Florida encourages veterans to fill teacher vacancies at schools
FOX News
-
-
-
Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter
CNBC
