Marvin OnumonuBullying, discrimination and harassment of LGBT+ workers is “pervasive” in workplaces in Great Britain, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned.
The warning comes as TUC analysis found over half a million (558,500) LGBT+ people have faced bullying, discrimination and harassment at work.
Almost 300,000 LGBT+ workers said they felt more at risk of mistreatment because of their identity.
The research showed incidents included offensive jokes or banter (37%), homophobic, bi-phobic or transphobic remarks (28%), verbal abuse (19%), intrusive questions (16%) and offensive literature or images about LGBT+ people (14%).
Mistreatment came from colleagues, customers, clients, patients and members of the public.
Over half (50%) of LGBT+ workers surveyed, around 537,000 people, said bullying, discrimination and harassment in the workplace was one of the biggest issues they faced.
The Employment Rights Bill, which has finished committee stage in the House of Lords, is set to bring in protection for workers from abuse at work.
The TUC said this would help stop the widespread mistreatment of LGBT+ workers.
Recent polling found nearly eight in 10 (78%) UK voters supported the new protections in the bill.
Paul Nowak, general secretary at the TUC, said: “No one should face bullying, harassment or discrimination at work.
“But far too many LGBT+ workers are reporting that this is their everyday experience. It’s time to stamp out this pervasive mistreatment.
“LGBT+ workers deserve dignity and respect like every other worker does.”
Nowak added: “That’s why the Government’s Employment Rights Bill is so important. It will introduce sensible changes like a duty on employers to protect workers from harassment by customers or patients.
“This will be an important step towards putting an end to the widespread mistreatment LGBT+ people experience at work.”
