UCLA’s Williams Institute issued a report Thursday that highlights the need for federal legislation that would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was first introduced in1994 and has been brought up several times in Congress, but it didn’t go anywhere. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate approved the measure, but it faces tough odds in the U.S. House of Representatives.
House Speaker John Boehner has said there is “no basis or need” for the legislation, and it’s not clear whether he will let the bill come up for a vote.
Currently, only 21 states have protections for LGBT employees.
Here’s a summary of the Williams Institute data that shows the hurdles LGBT people face in the workplace.
— 4%. The percentage of the U.S. workforce that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
— 21%. That’s the percentage of LGBT employees who report having been discriminated against in hiring, promotions and pay.
— 47%. That’s the percentage of transgender employees who reported similar discrimination at work.
— $0.68-$0.90. That’s how much gay and bisexual men make for every dollar earned by similarly-qualified heterosexual men.
— One out of every 25 complaints made about workplace discrimination comes from LGBT employees.
— 96%. That’s the percentage of Fortune 500 companies that have LGBT workplace protections who say such policies have boosted their businesses. Fortune 500 executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, have said such workplace policies boost productivity, increase retention rates and and attract talent.
