LGBTQ+ Young People in the Workplace

In Ireland, it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation or their gender, including being trans or non-binary.

For workplaces, this law is the ‘Employment Equality Acts’.

Under this law, discrimination means that, as an LGBTQ+ employee, you are treated less favourably or worse than another person because of your sexual orientation or gender.

The kinds of discrimination covered by this law are:

• Who is hired and fired.
• How much you are paid.
• What kind of work you do.
• What training and experience you are offered
• Being offered a promotion or job change.
• Harassment in the workplace.
• Bullying in the workplace.

It is your choice to be out as LGBTQ+ in work. You do not have to come out to your manager or anyone that you work with.

Coming out to people in work because you feel forced to, or are put under pressure to tell them, is a form of harassment and is against the law.

If you feel you are being discriminated against in work because you are LGBTQ+:

1. RECORD: what has happened by writing down the event, the day it happened, who was involved and what it was about.
2. SPEAK: to your manager, HR or a union representative if you decide to make a complaint about the discrimination.
3. CONTACT: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, or Workplace Relations Commission, if you are not happy with how your complaint has been dealt with and would like to take further action.
4. ACT QUICKLY: if you would like to take further action – your complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission must be sent in within 6 months from the discrimination happened.

For more information on making a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission visit: employersdirect.ie

To contact the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission visit: ihrec.ie

Thanks to the Pride Network in Ireland team at Accenture Ireland who helped to collate this information.