Respect for diversity in business has evolved greatly in last decade including a broad range of diversities: sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and sexual identity. Wriston's Law suggests that employees will go where they are wanted and stay where they are well treated. From a business perspective, respect for diversity has the potential be a significant driver for employee efficiency and retention. This is particularly true for LGBT employees. A common metric for LGBT diversity in business is the HRC Corporate Equality Index. While the Index provides an excellent measure of management attitude and their commitment to LGBT diversity, it lacks the ability to measure how safe LGBT employees feel in the workplace.  Most diversity measurements are in fact very difficult because there are many opportunities for hidden biases which will be discussed.  The issues around being 'out' in the workplace will also be discussed.

LGBT diversity in major businesses: Progress and shortcomings

241st National Meeting (2011)

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