Creating Inclusive Workplaces: How to Support Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth
Discover how to create an inclusive workplace that supports caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth. Learn effective strategies, policies, and practices to foster a productive and empathetic environment, benefiting both employees and the future workforce.
When organizations launch strategies to create inclusive workplace environments, they often focus on employees’ characteristics. But what if the lens expanded beyond the identity groups employees are a part of to include the groups their loved ones belong to? Specifically, how can leaders support parents, caregivers, and families of LGBTQ+ youth?
It’s important to support this subsect of employees due to the unique challenges LGBTQ+ youth face. The latest report from the Human Rights Campaign found that compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers, LGBTQ+ youth report much higher rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol and drug abuse. In fact, of those surveyed, 55.1% screened positive for depression and 63.5% screened positive for anxiety. Over half of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed also reported being verbally or physically harassed in the last 30 days. These widespread and serious challenges are bound to affect caregivers you employ.
