Survey Finds Majority of Transgender Employees Reporting Workplace Bias

Findings from a recent Randstad survey painted “a mixed picture” of the workplace experience for LGBTQ employees, describing “pockets of progress” that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts have made in terms of helping LGBTQ workers to be their genuine selves on the job.

For example, the Randstad poll of more than 2,000 members of the LGBTQ community found just over half (51%) of respondents saying they feel their employers have taken meaningful action to create an equitable workplace for LGBTQ employees.

That said, more than 40% of those same survey participants reported having experienced discrimination or prejudice at work throughout their careers.

Shared in the midst of Pride Month, a more recent Monster poll focused specifically on the workplace experience of transgender or gender-nonconforming workers, and found that many of these employees have encountered similar bias.

The survey of 1,609 U.S.-based workers found 19% of respondents identifying as transgender or gender nonconforming. Among this group, 59% indicated they have felt discriminated against or treated differently at their place of work.

Further, 31% said they feel that no progress has been made in the past year, with regard to trans worker rights or inclusivity in the workplace, with 17% saying that inclusivity in the workplace has actually gotten worse in that time.

Education may be playing a role in these trends, according to Monster, noting that 72% of respondents said they have not received transgender awareness and/or inclusivity training or education in the past year. A larger number, 79%, indicated they do not have, or are not aware of, LGBTQ employee resource groups or equivalent groups in their workplaces.

The survey also asked respondents about areas in which employers could do more to support trans and cisgender workers. For example:

⃰ 68% of trans or gender-nonconforming workers say more policies should be in place to support trans workers, while only 17% of cisgender workers agree.

⃰ 62% of trans or gender-nonconforming workers say more inclusive healthcare coverage for trans workers is needed, while only 17% of cisgender workers agree.

⃰ 62% of trans or gender-nonconforming employees say more training and education for cisgender workers is needed.

“Trans identifying or gender non-conforming workers and cisgender workers have a clear disconnect,” said Monster researchers, “when it comes to identifying areas within the workplace that have room to improve regarding transgender rights and inclusivity.”