Gay and Employed

A clear majority of Americans believe that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) workers should be treated like everyone else on the job. Yet less than half of those surveyed by Harris Interactive with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and Witeck-Combs Communications say such equality exists in corporate America. That hurts businesses, the group contends. "Employers that offer the same benefits to both heterosexual and same-sex couples are at a competitive advantage over ones that do not," said Selisse Berry, executive director for Out & Equal. "Recruiting and retaining the best possible employees is what defines a company's potential in their industry segment.” This said, Americans do not feel that diversity recruitment/training – even efforts impacting GLBT needs – is a high priority. And both GLBT adults and their heterosexual workplace counterparts could use a bit of a refresher course on current anti-discrimination laws, according to the survey. Harris Interactive conducted the research, for which 2,775 adults took part. For more information, click www.outandequal.org.