LGBTQ+ Inclusion at Work: Why It Still Matters for Employees and Organisations

Inclusion in the workplace is not a trend that comes and goes. For LGBTQ+ employees, feeling safe, respected and supported at work still matters because it affects wellbeing, performance and retention.

Recent surveys show that many LGBTQ+ workers still feel they cannot be open about who they are with colleagues. For some, this means deliberately hiding details about their personal life or their relationship status. That kind of constant self-monitoring takes energy. It can make it harder to concentrate, communicate and bring your best self to work.

For organisations, the impact of exclusion is not just personal. When people do not feel safe, they are less likely to engage fully in their work, less likely to share ideas and less likely to stay with an employer long term. Research has shown that inclusion is linked with innovation, productivity and lower turnover. That means inclusion matters not just morally but also strategically.

In practical terms, inclusion looks like having clear, well-communicated policies that protect people from discrimination. It also includes training for managers so they can respond appropriately to issues that arise, and regular conversations within teams about respect and belonging.

Supportive practices may include staff networks, mentoring for underrepresented groups and openly celebrating LGBTQ+ dates and histories. However, the most effective inclusion efforts combine visible signals of support with everyday actions that make work life easier and fairer.

For example, employers who allow flexible working and who are open to conversations about personal circumstances demonstrate understanding of diverse needs. Similarly, managers who model inclusive language and who address exclusionary behaviour when it occurs set the tone for their teams.

Inclusion matters because it affects people’s lives. It matters because it affects organisational success. And it matters because everyone deserves a workplace where they can be themselves, do their best work and feel valued.