Looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly employer? Here are a few ways to tell if an employer is LGBTQ+ before you accept a job offer.
It is illegal for employers to discriminate against people for their sexuality or gender identity in the UK. This means that you cannot be refused employment, disciplined, treated less favourably at work, or dismissed for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or any other identity under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.
Unfortunately, discrimination does still happen and some workplaces are safer for LGBTQ+ people than others.
If you are an LGBTQ+ person looking for a new job, finding a friendly and accepting workplace where you can be yourself is likely to be on your mind. Here are a few ways to tell if a prospective employer is LGBTQ+ friendly before you accept a job.
Look at their public-facing image
You can learn a lot about a company from its website, social media pages, and any press clippings. Has the company spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ issues? Do current employees share their pronouns in their email signatures, staff bios, or LinkedIn pages? Are gender-neutral toilets available at the company’s premises? All of these are good signs.
If the company has donated to progressive causes or openly engaged in LGBTQ+ community events (such as sponsoring an LGBTQ+ History Month event or having an official presence at Pride), that’s even better.
Consider which words are used, too. Does the company generally use gender-neutral and inclusive language in its communications? If not, that could be a red flag.
Look for specific programmes and initiatives
Many larger organisations develop specific programmes in place to support diverse groups in the workplace, including the LGBTQ+ community. For example, many large companies now have LGBTQ+ staff networks that you can join, or initiatives dedicated to getting a more diverse array of people into senior leadership roles.
It is also now very common for workplaces to require new employees to take training on subjects such as diversity, anti-discrimination, and avoiding unconscious bias. Any of these things are strong signs that this workplace is likely to be LGBTQ+ friendly.
You can ask questions about diversity at your interview, too. Consider questions like “how is [Company] embracing diversity and inclusion at all levels?” or “can you tell me about anything [Company] is doing to support and uplift marginalised communities?”
Speak to current employees
If you’re interested in working for a company but are unsure how LGBTQ+ friendly it is, reaching out to current employees for a frank conversation can give you a lot of insight.
If the company has an LGBTQ+ network, you should be able to find out who leads it and contact them. If not, search for the company on LinkedIn and see if you can find anyone amongst its staff who openly identifies as a member of the community. Reach out to them by LinkedIn message or email, saying something like this:
Hi [Name],
I’m in the process of applying for a job at [Company] and working somewhere that’s friendly and safe for LGBTQ+ individuals is really important to me. I wondered if you’d be willing to tell me anything about your experience working there and if you have a sense of how open and accepting the company is? Any insight you can provide will be helpful.
Thank you so much for your time.
[Name]
Look at the company’s policies
There is currently no legal requirement to have a written Equal Opportunities Policy in UK workplaces. However, many companies now do have such a document in place and it is widely considered best practice to do so.
You should be able to find this policy on the company’s website or, if not, ask to be provided with a copy to read. This policy should specifically include and make reference to members of the LGBTQ+ community (look out for terms like “sexual orientation”, “gender identity”, and “gender reassignment”).
You can also look out for any anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies the company has in place. The easier to find and clearer these are, the better.
Work it into conversation naturally
You are not required to “out” yourself during the hiring process or at any stage. However, one way to help weed out unfriendly workplaces is to disclose your identity in an organic way during your conversation with your interviewer(s).
For example, if you’re a woman married to another woman, you might include a phrase like “my wife and I have just moved to this area…” when asked why you are looking to change jobs. Or, if you’ve engaged in volunteer work for causes that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, you can use this as relevant experience when answering interview questions.
Of course, there is a risk that this could impact your chances of getting hired if your interviewer is harbouring conscious prejudice or unconscious bias. But, if an employer would reject you or look less favourably upon you for your sexuality or gender identity, you likely would not want to work for them. You must consider your individual circumstances and weigh up whether this risk feels worthwhile to you.
You deserve to feel safe and accepted at work
Remember that during a job hunt or interview process, you are assessing the company as well as being assessed. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a prospective employer that does not feel as safe, welcoming, and friendly as you deserve. The right employer for you will be happy to embrace every aspect of who you are.
