About 57% of workers say their company doesn’t have an LGBTQ+ employee resource group or equivalent support group, according to a new poll by Monster.
“Organizations can help foster an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees through resources, visibility, and open dialogue,” Monster said.
In a May 2025 survey of 1,300 U.S. workers, 17% said they feel more comfortable discussing gender identity or sexual orientation, as compared to last year, while 42% feel less comfortable.
Half of workers said their company’s policies regarding protections for gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation have remained the same since the beginning of the current administration.
Among workers who identify as LGBTQ+, 14% said they’re open about their sexual orientation and gender identity with colleagues, compared to 45% of straight or cisgender employees. A quarter of workers said it’s very important for workplaces to foster open discussion about LGBTQ+ identities and expression.
Nearly half of workers, however, said they believe fostering open discussions about LGBTQ+ identities or expression is “completely irrelevant” in the workplace.
To increase LGBTQ+ comfort and belonging at work, Monster said companies can expand and communicate policy protections; only 2% of workers saying their company’s policies regarding LGBTQ+ protections have expanded since the beginning of the current administration.
During Pride month, HR professionals should consider several steps to promote belonging while mitigating legal risks, management-side law firms wrote in recent weeks. Although cultural observances may not be a target for federal enforcement actions, this year may feel “thornier” to navigate, Ogletree Deakins attorneys said in an analysis, noting that planning ahead and leading with inclusion can help.
Despite federal efforts to end private-sector diversity, equity and inclusion programs, most employers intend to maintain their initiatives with few or no changes, according to an employer survey by law firm Littler Mendelson. At the same time, a growing number of employers reported concerns about the potential for DEI-related litigation.
On the employee side, LGBTQ+ workers are reporting more discrimination and less happiness at work, according to a WorkL report. Similarly, they’ve experienced declining levels of empowerment, job satisfaction and pride in their work.
