Marlton LGBT Employment Lawyers: Being an LGBT Employee

Significant progress has been made over the last few decades to protect the rights of LGBT Americans. LGBT role models in every public platform imaginable have done a great deal to increase awareness of LGBT issues, while encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. Despite this progress, Marlton LGBT employment lawyers report that discrimination and harassment are still common for individuals in the LGBT community.

A Reading Eagle Newspaper reporter recently investigated this topic in a two-part series. What he found suggests that much more can be done to secure the rights of LGBT employees throughout the country. In many states, one can still be fired for being LGBT. There is no federal law in the U.S. protecting the rights of LGBT employees, and 29 states lack laws that protect LGBT employees as well.

Discrimination is still a sad reality for many LBGT workers. According to a UCLA research study, nearly one-fourth of LGBT employees have experienced discriminatory hiring practices, promotions, and pay rates. Gay and bi-sexual men make less than equally-qualified heterosexual men. LGBT Americans are still afraid to come out to their coworkers. More than half of LGBT employees keep their personal lives a secret, believing their orientation or identity may negatively impact their potential for advancement at work.

Challenges for Transgender Workers

Of the LGBT community, transgender workers may face the most obstacles of all. Ten percent of employees surveyed for the UCLA report said they left a job because they felt unwelcome. Transgender individuals also face twice the average rate of unemployment. Half of the transgender workers in the study felt penalized at work because of their gender identity.

There is some good news for LGBT workers, however. Where the federal and state governments fail to safeguard LGBT rights, corporate America is picking up the slack. The UCLA study reports that 96 percent of Fortune 500 companies actively enforce non-discrimination policies, with sexual orientation falling under that umbrella. The policies have proven to increase productivity and attract the best candidates, and boost morale – which are all good for business.

Marlton LGBT Employment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Protect the Rights of LGBT Workers

 More needs to be done to protect the rights of LGBT workers in New Jersey. When an employee feels they have been passed over for a promotion at work or are not receiving fair pay, a lawyer can help. Marlton LGBT employment lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. advocate for the rights of LGBT workers throughout New Jersey. Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500 or Marlton office at 856-985-9800 to discuss your case. You can also complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.