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A survey of energy industry employees has found that 35 per cent have witnessed or experienced discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in the last five years.
The findings have emerged from the first annual survey by the Pride in Energy group. The group, which was launched in 2017 to address Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) issues in the energy industry, polled 197 people last month.
Some respondents cited “legacy cultures in a male dominated industry” as a factor in some LGBTQ+ people leaving the energy industry.
Despite this, 77 per cent of respondents ranked their employer as seven out of 10 or higher for inclusivity. When it came to the industry as a whole, 49 per cent gave it seven out of 10 or above.
Some 58 per cent of LGBTQ+ respondents felt comfortable enough to be fully ‘out’ in the industry with qualitative feedback suggesting that this was particularly for those of LGB sexual orientations. The percentage for those not ‘out’ at all stood at 11 per cent.
Many respondents highlighted positive progress and increased visibility of LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace with one stating that: “There is definitely a stark contrast between when I first started working in the energy industry to now; It was a taboo subject and I was really worried about coming out. Now there is definitely a diverse and inclusive environment where colleagues can talk openly about themselves.”
There were other examples of good practice, particularly linked to newer members of the industry, including:
- Proactively prepared HR policies & practices.
- Visible, supportive senior leadership.
- Training, education, and strong LGBTQ+ networks.
- Normalising considerations for the LGBTQ+ community but being understanding of the uniqueness of individuals.
Joshua Atkins, founder and chair of Pride in Energy, said: “As confronting as some of these figures might be, they’re also a sign of the change underway in the energy industry. With groups like our own cropping up across different companies there is clear progress towards equality and inclusion in the sector which is further evidenced by the figures in our survey.
“In short, there is lots that has been done, but there is still more to do and we’re here to support the organisations and individuals doing it.”
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