New poll reveals over half of LGBTQ+ workers experience bullying or harassment at work
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A new poll released by the UK’s Trades Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that more than half (52%) of LGBTQ+ workers have faced bullying or harassment in the workplace over the past five years. The survey exposes a troubling reality for LGBTQ+ employees, particularly young workers aged 18-24, who are disproportionately affected by discrimination.
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Key findings from the report show that:
- Nearly one in five (19%) LGBTQ+ individuals reported experiencing verbal abuse at work.
- Over a quarter (28%) were subjected to or overheard discriminatory comments based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- One in 20 LGBTQ+ workers reported being physically threatened or attacked due to their identity.
- As a result of this hostile environment, almost three in ten (29%) LGBTQ+ workers choose to keep their sexual orientation hidden at work.
The poll highlights that young LGBT+ workers are especially vulnerable. Two-thirds (65%) of LGBTQ+ employees aged 18-24 reported experiencing bullying, harassment, or discrimination – significantly higher than the 52% average across all age groups. Additionally, one in five (20%) young LGBTQ+ workers reported being bullied because of their sexual orientation, compared to 11% of all age groups.
The impact of workplace harassment is profound. Four in ten (38%) LGBT+ individuals who experienced bullying reported negative effects on their mental health, including increased stress, anxiety, and depression. A third (34%) said their confidence at work was diminished, and about one in sixteen (6%) felt compelled to leave their job due to the abuse they faced. These findings echo the results of myGwork’s latest report on LGBTQ+ mental health in the workplace.
Despite the high levels of bullying and harassment, only 16% of LGBTQ+ workers reported these incidents to their employers. Among those who did speak out, nearly half (47%) said their complaints were taken seriously, but a worrying 20% said their grievances were ignored, and 12% felt their complaints were not believed.
In light of these findings, the TUC is calling for urgent action from both employers and the government. “This new report shines a light on the extent of discrimination LGBT+ workers face in our workplaces. Workplace culture clearly needs to change,” stated TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak. “No one should think that a colleague being LGBT+ means it’s okay to make discriminatory comments or ask inappropriate questions – let alone carry out serious acts of assault.”
The TUC is urging ministers to implement a new legal duty on employers to protect their staff from harassment, shifting the responsibility from victims to businesses. The union body also emphasizes the need for stronger workplace rights to ensure safe and inclusive environments for all workers.
The TUC is optimistic that Labour’s proposed Employment Rights Bill, set to be introduced in the first 100 days of the new government, will bring meaningful change. The bill promises to ban zero-hours contracts, raise the national minimum wage to £15 an hour, and foster safer, more inclusive workplaces.
“Ministers have pledged to work with unions to ensure all workplaces are safe and inclusive for all workers. Employers must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination,” Nowak concluded.
Click here to download a full copy of the report.
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