Poll: Most Americans believe gays, lesbians should have equal workplacerights

SAN
FRANCISCO - PRN - GHN - A new Harris poll reveals what Americans
believe about gays in the workplace, namely they are entitled to equal
rights.  The significant finding reveals the tolerance folks have for
extending employment rights without sexual orientation.

The

new poll reveals that American workers prefer to work in an inclusive
environment and that employment options as well as benefits should
extend to gay and lesbian workers.  Sexual orientation, most people
believe, has nothing to do with performance in the workplace.

The majorities are considerable on the issue of employment rights that do not focus on sexual orientation of workers.

78% of heterosexual adults surveyed by the Harris Poll agree that how
an employee performs at his or her job should be the standard for
judging an employee, not their sexual orientation. Also, three out of
five – or 62% - of heterosexual adults agree that regardless of their
sexual orientation, all employees are entitled to equal benefits on the
job, such as health insurance for their partners or spouses.

As
highlighted above, the survey continues to show that many heterosexual
adults believe their LGBT colleagues deserve fairness and equality in
the workplace.

Equal
treatment, according to most Americans, should extend not only to
employment but job benefits as well.  For example, when also asked about
different workplace benefits offered to spouses of married heterosexual
employees compared to committed partners of lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender (LGBT) employees, 74% of heterosexuals think both spouses
and partners should receive leave for employees who experience the loss
of a spouse/partner or close family member.  Also, seven out of ten – or
70% – of heterosexual adults think both spouses and partners should
receive leave rights for family and medical emergencies as outlined in
the Family and Medical Leave Act.  And, a majority, 63% of heterosexuals
also think both spouses and partners should receive untaxed health
insurance benefits.

Gay
and lesbian employees look at careers based on a number of factors.
68% prefer a job with an employer in a state where same-sex marriages
are recognized. Close to a third – or 32% - of LGBT adults also would
consider declining a job promotion if it required them to transfer to a
state where same-sex marriages are not recognized.  Also, 31% of LGBT
adults agreed they would consider changing jobs if their employer
required them to transfer to a state where same-sex marriages were not
recognized.

"Employers
that offer the same benefits to both heterosexual and same-sex couples
are at a competitive advantage over ones that do not," said Out &
Equal Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry.
"Recruiting and retaining the best possible employees is what defines a
company's potential in their industry segment.  Out & Equal is
committed to providing corporate leaders the essential tools to get
there."

The
survey also shows how conditions in the workplace have improved in the
past decade for LGBT workers. For instance, only about one in five – or
18% – of both heterosexual and LGBT adults agree it would be very
difficult for an employee to be openly LGBT in their workplace.

This
2010 survey reveals an 11% improvement from 2002 when 31% of LGBT
adults agreed it would be very difficult.  However, there are still
plenty of strides that need to be made in workplace equality. Only 44%
of heterosexual adults agree LGBT people are treated fairly and equally
in their workplace."

But
the poll shows Americans are becoming more and more accepting of the

equality of people in the workplace and are unconcerned about associating with gays and lesbians on the job.