The top 6 companies for LGBTQ employees

June 3, 2021 10:02 AM

Diversity and inclusion has been a top priority for employers, especially as younger generations dominate the workforce and demand greater responsibility from their employers in promoting equality.

However, despite greater acceptance and recognition of the LGBTQ community, the workplace is still an isolating place for many. About 46% of LGBTQ workers say they are closeted at work, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign, and 53% of LGBTQ employees say they occasionally hear workplace jokes about lesbian or gay people.

Employers can provide safer and more accepting work environments for their LGBTQ employees with resources and support groups, and provide allyship training for their colleagues. For example, Liberty Mutual Insurance offers an ERG called Pride@Liberty, where employees can come together to support one another and create an environment where LGBTQ employees feel they can be their authentic selves at work. There are also resources for their colleagues to learn how to be allies.

“Creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where employees feel that they belong is a business imperative,” says Mariana Fagnilli, vice president of the Global Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Liberty Mutual. “We have made great strides during the past several years to ensure that our LGBTQ community feels valued and that they belong.”

Many other employers have launched resource groups, committed to inclusive hiring practices and partnered with outside organizations to support their LGBTQ team members. Glassdoor compiled the most inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ employees.

Google:

The tech giant has a number of partnerships with organizations that work to protect LGBTQ employees from discrimination. The company also promotes LGBTQ inclusion in its marketing materials. Google has several ERGs dedicated to the LGBTQ community.

“The Gayglers lead the way in celebrating Pride around the world, but also informs programs and policies, so that Google remains a workplace that works for everyone,” the ERG says on its website.

IKEA

The furniture retail company has made diversity and inclusion a main part of its mission. More than half its workforce is made of minorities and 47% of its employees are women, according to Glassdoor. Additionally, in 2019 the company celebrated its International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia as a way to stand up for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Read More: ‘A basic human right’: Why your benefits may be failing your LGBTQ employees

“We believe in creating a work environment where all co-workers feel welcomed, respected, supported and appreciated, no matter who they are or where they come from. At IKEA, this means building collaborative ways of working and practicing inclusive behaviours every day,” the company says on its website.

Microsoft

The tech goliath promotes LGBTQ pride and inclusivity through its ERG GLEAM.

“Global issues including the coronavirus pandemic, systemic racism and targeted violence have exacerbated the inequities the LGBTQ community already faces, making it all the more important to have a candid conversation. When we speak, people react. A dialogue can lead to understanding, and understanding can lead to change,” Microsoft says on the GLEAM website.

Slack

Over 7% of Slack’s workforce identify as LGBTQ, according to the company’s 2019 diversity report. The messaging software company offers an employee resource group for its LGBTQ population and provides support to employees who wish to openly identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming.

Read More: Strategies for supporting transgender employees in the workplace

“Since Slack was founded six years ago, we’ve been committed to embedding diversity, engagement and belonging in our hiring practices and workplace culture,” the company says on its website. “This is central to our company values, and we continue to prioritize these efforts. As companies around the globe rapidly transition to remote work, we remain committed to ensuring that the diversity of our customers is reflected in Slack’s own teams.”

Apple

The tech giant has pledged to hire a more diverse workforce. Half of the company’s new hires are from underrepresented groups, according to Glassdoor. The Human Rights Campaign has named Apple a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for more than 15 years and the company has advocated for LGBTQ rights through partnerships with organizations including The Trevor Project, as well as the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Read More: Why support for LGBTQ+ employees must extend beyond Pride Month

“On many fronts, Apple supports the ongoing and unfinished work of equality for diverse and intersectional communities, and we want to provide every opportunity to celebrate and honor this history during Pride season,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a release.

Target

The retail giant has made hiring LGBTQ employees a key part of its corporate values and supports LGBTQ rights through partnerships with organizations including the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

Read More: Employers need to embrace, not tolerate, LGBTQ employees

“Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do at Target,” CEO Brian Cornell says on the company website. “We need to reflect that population in our team to ensure we deliver the product, services, experiences and messages our guests want and need.”