Dive Brief:

• Almost one-third (30%) of queer employees have refused to apply to a job because of a perceived lack of company support for LGBTQ+ workers, according to Indeed data released May 31. And 50% of trans workers have refrained from applying for a job for the same reason.
• About a third of queer employees told Indeed they’re reluctant to apply for work in states where legal protections for LGBTQ+ folks are lacking.
• This, along with skepticism about companies that do voice support, is on par with ongoing findings about LGBTQ+ workers.

Dive Insight:

Indeed’s survey is far from the first time workers have spoken up about their current or future employer’s support (or lack thereof) for LGBTQ+ workers — and how it makes them feel.

State-specific reluctance is not uncommon: Nearly 80% of workers told advocacy firm Out & Equal that anti-LGBTQ+ state laws affect whether they would relocate for a job, per a May 2024 report. Almost half of workers said they already feel less safe due to changes in LGBTQ+ protections.

Meanwhile, according to a 2024 report, Gen Zers are overwhelmingly skeptical of employers’ inclusion efforts. Young LGBTQ+ people were three times more likely to tell EY that they were unsure of their company’s efforts. They rated their employer a C+, compared to the B that other generations were more likely to give.

Gen Z adults are identifying as LGBTQ at rates greater than generations past, various reports have shown. But queer inclusion and building trust should not be prioritized just to cater to young workers, who are a growing portion of the community: Almost 1 in 10 of the U.S. workforce identifies as LGBTQ+, according to Indeed.

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