Are workplaces open for LGBTQ, women of color, and the disabled?

 

Inclusive employment is the future of work

“Leave no one behind”

According to the International labor organization, a human-centered future of work can be fulfilled when every individual is included in the world of work.

Studies show that LGBTQ, women of color, and the disabled often face discrimination and violation of employee rights at workplaces across the globe. 

Inclusive employment is much talked about at large organizations but the deeply embedded discrimination creates certain prejudices and mistreatment even in today’s times.

According to a study by an International labor organization, LGBTQ, women of color, and the disabled feel excluded at workplaces and therefore they do not bother to try accessing their rights related to employment opportunities. 

Surveys and reports also suggest that excluded class of employees on the job also feel alienated when it comes to going out for office parties, get-togethers, and casual meets. OECD survey based on Covid times also suggested that companies preferred to remove vulnerable groups from employment during economic downturns. However, Post-Covid, hybrid work culture and remote working opened doors for women and the disabled on a large scale.

LGBTQ, women of color, and the disabled are vulnerable and diverse groups. Their issues even increase when they have HIV, TUBERCULOSIS, or any other medical condition. According to UNAIDS, gay and transgender account for 54% of new HIV cases globally. Due to racial, ethnic, or gender-based disparity, these vulnerable groups get disqualified from total social acceptance.

What we can do?

• ·         It is important to decide what works best for workplace culture and sustainable development
• ·         Also, belittling someone or hateful language, intentional or not, are the genesis of an unhappy working environment.
• ·         Perception that any person or a group is of less value than others because of a lack of commonality should be withdrawn.

·         Organizations are increasingly making policies against prejudice and harassment, it is important that workers and employees avoid abuse of any kind that includes exclusion from a casual discussion, sharing rooms in the office and on office trips, malicious jokes, slurs, etc.

ANY DISCRIMINATION COMES WITH AN ECONOMIC COST THAT THE NATION AND THE COMMUNITY PAY.

Therefore, it is important that everyone is included in the world of work and right potential is recruited for a job profile.