There are many challenges in the workplace, including things like difficult assignments or early working hours. Unfortunately, some men and women face unique problems that cross the line into workplace discrimination. For members of the LGBTQ community in Rhode Island, discrimination at work is not at all uncommon.
50% of LGBTQ workers experience discrimination
According to a recent report from the Williams Institute at University of California, 46% of workers who identify as members of the LGBTQ community have been treated unfairly at some point during their careers. In the last 12 months alone, 9% reported they had either been fired or denied a job for their sexual orientation. Other types of mistreatment cited in the study include:
- Harassment
- Denied a raise
- Passed over for promotion
- Excluded from company events
- Denied additional hours
Sexual harassment is another big issue for LGBTQ workers. According to that same report, over 25% say they have experienced sexual harassment at work. Another 20% reported that they have suffered physical harassment — including being hit and punched — while on the job.
Everyone in Rhode Island deserves a workplace that is free from unnecessary harm and discrimination. The sad reality is that many men and women continue to face unfair treatment for matters that are completely out of their control. Those who have suffered because of wrongful treatment sometimes consider pursuing compensation through workplace discrimination lawsuits. When successfully navigated to completion, these claims can help victims secure the compensation they need.