THREE quarters of Irish people feel they have to hide their sexuality at work over fears they will be treated differently.
Seven-in -10 also claim they have been victims of stereotypical homophobic jokes or have heard negative remarks in the office, according to research released this week by Dublin employment law consultancy Graphite HRM.
A further 66 per cent of the 807 people surveyed also believe that managers turn a blind eye to remarks about sexual orientation and are not supportive when they come forward for help.
Graphite HRM Managing Director Alan Price of Graphite said: “In 2015, why is discrimination still a part of the workplace?
"A person’s sexual orientation in no way dictates or determines the kind of employee they will be or how they will perform on the job, so why should who an employee chooses to spend their personal time with matter?
"The answer is it shouldn’t. The expression of personal opinions, especially on sensitive topics such as sexual orientation can have a devastating effect on individual employee wellbeing and the overall staff morale.
"Personal opinions should stay as that - personal. They have no place at work."
Graphite says more needs to be done by employers to safeguard the rights of their employees.
Mr Price added: “It is extremely disappointing and frustrating to hear that employees feel like they have to hide who they are from their colleagues and employers.
"As a society we are a melting pot of different cultures, personalities and walks of life, which is what makes us so unique and interesting."
He also called on businesses to celebrate diversity.
"Valuing diversity for any organisation should no longer be just a consideration, but an imperative tool to drive businesses forward,” he said.
“Colleagues may see these jokes as just harmless fun, but for the person on the receiving end it is demoralising and hurtful.
"As with other forms of discrimination, remarks about a person’s sexuality don’t have to be overt, they can manifest themselves in more subtle gestures such as referring to a male colleague who may be homosexual as one of the girls or too feminine."
Mr Price also believes businesses without policies in place to handle such issues face being brought in front of a tribunal.
He said: "Employers and management need to ask themselves the question am I doing enough to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation from occurring in the workplace?
"The fact of the matter is if you think you are doing enough, go that extra mile further to ensure that discrimination is a none factor in your business.
"Resolving this issue requires more than a short-term plan, it requires a long-term commitment to stamping out all types of discrimination."
Graphite's research comes after they spoke with 807 managers throughout August and September via an advisory employment advice service, which advises managers and employers on HR issues.
