Working a job while being a member of the queer community can be difficult if you feel uncertain about the support you’ll receive from your fellow coworkers. Listed below are some tips, advice and information about navigating the workplace as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
- LGBTQ Workplace Best Practices, a playlist created by ADP, a provider of human capital management solutions, highlights important information on best LGBTQ+ practices in the workplace. Here are some of our favorite videos:
- Being A Strong Ally in the Workplace
- Transgender Resume and Interview Advice
- Coming Out at Work
- What’s Heteronormativity?
- The Gender Neutral Bathroom
- What is Intersectionality and Why is it Important?
- Why is June Pride Month?
- Bisexuality vs. Pansexuality: What’s the difference?
- Pronouns: What are they?
- Intersectionality: Being Gay and Black in America
- From Ally to Accomplice
- Best Practices For Using Pronouns in the Workplace
- How Do I Know if it’s Safe to be Out at Work … and Other Questions About LGBTQ+ Issues at Work by Ask a Manager, a blog that offers insight on navigating workplace issues. Here are our top 10 tips from this article:
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- Ask interviewers about their commitments to diversity, inclusion and equity, and listen to the response. Is it concrete or vague?
- Observe and look for signs of an affirming culture and people talking positively about LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
- If possible, research the company you work for or are interviewing for and see if they have LGBTQ+ supportive policies.
- Make sure you are familiar with your rights and your company’s policies.
- Normalize saying your name and pronouns or include your pronouns in your signature.
- If you want to create LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in the workplace, approach HR and consider connecting with organizations in your area that work on these issues.
- If you want to create an LGBTQ+ group at work, ask HR about a formal process for creating an employee resource group.
- If you experience discrimination in the workplace, investigate your company’s process for handling discrimination complaints and reflect on what you would want to happen if you file a complaint.
- If you use the wrong pronouns, don’t agonize over the mistake! Apologize and resume conversation using the correct pronouns.
- If you are an ally, remember that being an ally is an action, not just a label. Challenge your own internal biases.
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- Practical Advice for Transgender and Nonbinary Folks Navigating the Job Search, a website that lists seven different tips for gender-queer individuals who may be applying to new jobs, and don’t want to face discrimination or outing. It also gives advice on how to avoid misgendering or deadnaming.
- Job Searching While LGBTQ: How to Find a Truly Inclusive Place to Work, an article that gives advice on how to figure out if a potential workplace is inclusive to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. It lists good questions that can help determine the workplace’s inclusivity, such as asking about gender neutral restrooms, or policies on dress code.
- Navigating Gender Identity and Expression During a Job Search, an article written by a transgender woman that details her experience in the job search as well as giving advice for genderqueer individuals in the workforce. She also gives input on how to present and introduce yourself in interviews.
- FAQs for Transgender Job Seekers, an article from the University of Vermont that answers some frequently asked questions from their genderqueer students. It gives tips for both those interviewing and those already in a job who want to start transitioning.