Despite years of progress and corporate promises of inclusion, LGBTQ+ workers are feeling a chill in the workplace. A May 2025 survey by Monster shows that fewer people are comfortable discussing their gender identity or sexual orientation at work โ and most companies havenโt moved the needle on protections or support.
Only 17% of workers say they feel more comfortable talking about these issues than they did a year ago. Meanwhile, 42% feel less comfortable, suggesting a notable and abrupt backslide in workplace inclusion.
The climate isnโt helped by stagnation in corporate policy. Half of all respondents say their companyโs protections for gender identity and sexual orientation havenโt changed since the start of the current administration. Just 2% say protections have actually improved.
Support systems are scarce, too: 57% of workers report their companies lack an LGBTQ+ employee resource group (ERG) or anything similar. Only 16% say their workplace has one. And most striking: while 45% of straight or cisgender employees say theyโre open about who they are with colleagues, just 14% of LGBTQ+ workers say the same.
Even the importance of visibility is up for debate. Nearly 48% of workers believe that open conversations about LGBTQ+ identity and expression are irrelevant in the workplace, while only 25% believe itโs โvery important.โ
The message is clear: progress isnโt guaranteed, and visibility is still a risk for many. In a climate of policy stagnation and cultural pushback, companies that want to keep their inclusion promises will need to do more than celebrate Pride month.
