How to Avoid Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
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During the Interview
In addition to presenting yourself as the best thing to walk through those doors since take-away was invented, the interview is a good time for you to fill in as many blanks as possible. Here's how.
- Ask Questions: If your research hasn't turned up any information about the company's diversity initiative or domestic-partner benefits plan, now's the time to ask. But don't ask questions about whether people of diverse sexual orientation hold positions of authority within the company. "The interview needs to be job-related," says Campbell. "The sexual orientation of employees is not job-related."
- Look Around When You Walk Through the Hallways: Who's sitting in the fancy offices? Whose pictures are hanging on the walls? If those depicted are all white males, this might not be the most diversity-minded office.
After the Interview
If after all that research you're still not sure about a company, you need to take a hard look at the reasons for your hesitation. Have previous bad experiences left you wary, or have you spotted some red flags along the way?
- Know Your Rights: No matter what the circumstances of your new employment are, it's always best to start with a clear picture of your rights.
- Get to Know People: The minute you start the job, make lots of connections, including with the company's human resource manager. The more allies you have now, the easier it will be to combat on-the-job discrimination down the road.
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