Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) workers are more likely to face risk factors at work that lead to an increased prevalence of health conditions. 

LGBTI workers face regular exposure to a number of different psychosocial risks, which can cause stress and mental health issues. These psychosocial risks can include discrimination, harassment, and forms of microaggression such as jokes, ridicule, staring, gossip and negative comments from co-workers and employers. Bullying in the workplace, for example, has been reported by 14% of gay workers, 17% of lesbian workers and 19% of bisexual workers, compared to 6% of heterosexual workers.

Research shows that transgender workers in particular are more often exposed to psychosocial risks. In one survey, 90% of transgender workers reported that they had directly experienced harassment or mistreatment at work or felt forced to hide their gender identity.

LGBTI workers are also frequently exposed to organisational risk factors, which can include institutional discrimination, reduced career opportunities and unsociable and/or longer working hours. In addition, on average, LGBTI workers earn 4% less and are 11% less likely to hold a high managerial position. Not only does this add stress, but it also means that LGBTI workers spend more time in the same job role and are therefore exposed to risks for longer.

LGBTI workers may also face ‘prejudice-based segregation’. This refers to the tendency for the worker to choose jobs in which they expect to experience less intolerance and discrimination. This may result in a higher proportion of gay and bisexual men working in jobs in female-dominated sectors or occupations, and of lesbian workers in male-dominated sectors or occupations. A number of these sectors and occupations are associated with higher occupational safety and health risks.

For more details, read the full article here: Healthy workplaces for everyone: reducing MSD-related risks for LGBTI workers.