How to Avoid Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
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Prepare for the Interview
By the time you arrive for your interview, you should be a regular walking encyclopedia about the prospective employer. Go online, read newspapers, and talk to people who've worked for the company. Look for these indicators of whether or not a company is a good fit:
- Company Nondiscrimination Statement: If it doesn't include anything about sexual orientation, it's a red flag.
- Benefits Plan: A company that offers a domestic partner benefits plan to life partners regardless of sexual orientation is inclusive in its practices, not just on paper. Good news: According to one survey, a steadily rising number of employers are offering these benefits.
- Diversity Initiatives: Is there evidence of diversity initiatives in the company literature? How extensive does it seem to be? "Many people understand that a diversity initiative is often a precursor to career opportunities that await them," says Todd Campbell, manager of the diversity initiative at the Society for Human Resource Management.
- Litigation History: Has the company been in the news lately because of discrimination cases? If so, you might not want to waste the taxi fare or petrol needed for getting to the interview.
- Media References: Many publications offer annual roundups of the most employee-friendly companies. Fortune, for example, publishes a list of the 50 best companies for minorities. Don't worry too much if your prospective employer doesn't make the list. But if the company does appear, shine those shoes and get a good night's rest so you get the best possible shot at the job.
- Company Awards: "If a company has won awards for things such as the promotion of women in the workplace or community service, that's a good indicator that the company is probably inclusive," says Campbell.
