Every person deserves to feel safe at work, here is how we make that happen

During the month of July, Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, diversity and identity of people LGBTQIA+ people living with a disability. It is also a moment to ask ourselves an honest question: are our workplaces as welcoming as they could be for everyone?

The good news is that when workplaces get inclusion right, the difference is profound. People show up more fully, contribute more freely and thrive. And for LGBTQIA+ employees, creating that kind of environment starts with understanding what genuinely makes people feel safe.

Why safety at work matters so much

Research tells us that LGBTQIA+ young Australians experience workplace harassment at disproportionately high rates. These experiences range from inappropriate comments and intrusive questions about identity, to jokes that target someone for who they are. When this happens, it does not just affect how someone feels on a given day, it affects their mental health, their confidence and their willingness to stay in the workforce.

But here is what that same research also tells us: when workplaces take active steps to build safety and inclusion, things improve. The environment shapes the experience. That means employers have real power to make a positive difference.

A unique experience, LGBTQIA+ people living with disability

For LGBTQIA+ people who also live with disability, feeling safe at work involves an extra layer of consideration. These individuals are navigating two aspects of identity that are each, on their own, often misunderstood in the workplace, and together, they can create a particularly complex experience.

Research shows that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely than the general population to live with disability, chronic illness or a mental health condition. That means a significant number of job seekers and employees are managing both, and they deserve workplaces that are equipped to support them fully, not just partially.

For someone in this position, safety at work might mean feeling confident they can request a workplace adjustment without it drawing attention to other aspects of their identity. It might mean knowing that the support services available to them are designed with people like them in mind. It might simply mean being able to come to work each day without spending energy managing what others know about them.

What a safe workplace looks and feels like

For LGBTQIA+ employees, including those living with disability, feeling safe at work means more than just the absence of harm. It means:

• Being able to show up as yourself without fear of judgement or exclusion
• Knowing that if something goes wrong, there is someone you can talk to and that it will be taken seriously
• Feeling included in the everyday rhythms of a team, conversations, social events, decisions
• Seeing your identity acknowledged and respected, not hidden or treated as something awkward
• Having access to support and adjustments that meet your needs, without having to over-explain yourself to get them

Where to start

Creating a safe and welcoming workplace does not have to be complicated. Some of the most effective steps are also the most straightforward:

• Set clear expectations from the beginning that respectful behaviour applies to everyone, in every interaction
• Ensure there are confidential, accessible reporting options that people feel comfortable using
• Provide regular, practical training for all staff, not just managers, on what inclusive behaviour looks and sounds like
• Make sure your inclusion efforts consider the overlap between disability and LGBTQIA+ identity, not just each in isolation
• Check in with your team, and listen to what they tell you

At CoAct, we believe every person deserves to go to work and feel genuinely welcome. We connect job seekers, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community and those living with disability, with employers who share that belief. Because a safe, inclusive team is also a stronger one.

Contact us to find out how we can support you.