International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Making workplace policies supportive of all families

"In keeping with the principles of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, no LGBTI worker should be left behind. Today let us stand in solidarity for the rights of LGBTI workers and their families", says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

Statement | 17 May 2017
© Benson Kua
The theme of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and  Biphobia 2017 is “Love Makes a Family”. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes that “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” Today we celebrate families in all their forms.

What happens at workplaces also affects family life. It is, therefore, important to ask if lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) workers enjoy full rights at work, and are they able to balance their work and family responsibilities.

Unfortunately, too often the answer is no. The ILO’s own research finds that workplace policies, often designed from a hetero-normative perspective, may fall short of addressing the issues and concerns of LGBT workers. For example, LGBT workers may be excluded from leave and benefit entitlements, such as parental leave, because their families do not fit traditional norms. Moreover, fear of discrimination means that many LGBT employees hide their sexual orientation and gender identity, especially in the early stages of their career. This means that even when social protection may be available to LGBT workers and their families, fear of disclosure and discrimination blocks access.

In the face of fear, rejection and hostile work environments, many LGBT people find themselves in the informal economy with heightened vulnerability to exploitation. Transgender people continue to struggle to sustain their livelihoods. Some end up in sex work and are at risk of further marginalization and infections such as HIV.

When LGBTI workers do not enjoy equal opportunities and treatment at work, their families, including their children, are also negatively affected.

Workplace policies and procedures can make a real and positive difference to LGBTI workers and their families by addressing the specific challenges they face and acting to end the stigma that may be associated with LGBTI identity.

Although LGBTI workers have become better represented and their working conditions have evolved in some countries, much remains to be done to make workplaces inclusive for all workers and their families.

In keeping with the principles of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, no LGBTI worker should be left behind. Today let us stand in solidarity for the rights of LGBTI workers and their families.