Wednesday, June 12, 2024 In a world where LGBTQIA + rights are gaining more attention, the latest data reveals that significant gaps remain in supporting LGBTQIA+ employees during work travel. According to a recent survey by leading travel risk management provider World Travel Protection, only 1 in 7 organizations offer specific travel information regarding LGBTQIA+ rights to employees before they visit a country. This statistic shows no improvement from last year, underscoring a critical need for more robust support systems.
The survey highlighted that merely 9% of companies provide information about LGBTQIA+ rights to employees who openly identify as LGBTQIA+ and an even smaller percentage (8%) cater to those who do not disclose their identities. Tim Lai, a media personality and Marketing Manager for The Pinnacle Foundation an LGBTQIA+ education charity, frequently travels abroad for work. Reflecting on his earlier career in the technology sector, Lai shared, “As an openly gay man, visiting countries with anti-LGBTQIA+ stances was challenging.
Despite advancements in providing support and cultural education, there’s still much more that companies can do.” Lai emphasized the necessity for organizations to inform LGBTQIA+ employees about local laws and social attitudes in the countries they visit. “Companies need to provide resources or contacts to ensure their employees’ safety,” he added.
“While progress is commendable, we must strive for comprehensive, action.
