Why Employers Must Embrace Inclusive LGBTQI+ Healthcare

In today’s competitive business landscape, prioritizing employee wellbeing and fostering an inclusive work environment are key to success. Specialized LGBTQI+ healthcare is a benefit that forward-thinking employers are turning to in order to stay ahead of the curve.

This is a new era of workplace healthcare and an essential for every employer with a DE&I agenda. By offering comprehensive support in areas such as lesbian health, gay men’s health, and trans and gender diverse health, employers will not only experience improved workforce wellbeing, but will unlock their full business potential. 

 

The Truth About LGBTQI+ Health

A growing percentage of the US workforce is part of the LGBTQI+ community. However, there is a stark disparity in health outcomes between the LGBTQI+ community and those who identify as heterosexual or straight; in fact, 1 in 10 LGBTQI+ individuals report being in “not good” or “poor” health, compared to just 1 in 16 of non-LGBTQI+ people.

More shocking still, more than 1 in 8 LGBTQI+ people now live in states where doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals can legally refuse to treat them.

 

Boost Health to Boost Business

Specialized LGBTQI+ healthcare support is more than just another benefit; it’s a catalyst for a healthier, engaged, and more productive workforce. By offering comprehensive support specifically designed for the LGBTQI+ community, employees will be equipped with the necessary tools to thrive. 

It’s not guaranteed that every healthcare professional fully understands the intricacies of LGBTQI+ health. In fact, 80% of medical students in the US feel “not competent” or “somewhat not competent” at treating sexual and gender minority patients, and 1 in 3 transgender individuals have to teach their doctor in order to receive appropriate care.

To replace absenteeism, underperformance, and disengagement with an energized workforce that propels your business forward, workplaces must first get to the root of the problem––how your people are feeling. This means supporting LGBTQI+ colleagues’ clinical, physical, and mental needs; from helping them access PrEP to giving them the practical and emotional support they need to navigate the path to parenthood. All of this is possible through Peppy, the global health platform that connects employees to top clinicians, trained specifically in supporting LGBTQI+ people. 

 

Top Employers Embrace Diversity

In the race to attract the best talent, offering specialized LGBTQI+ healthcare support gives you a competitive edge. Imagine being the company that embraces diverse identities and supports the wellbeing of every employee. Offering specialized health support for every employee sends a powerful message: you value diversity, equality, and inclusion, and you’re committed to investing in your employees’ holistic health.

Around the world, top employers are setting their business apart from the rest by offering specialized health support, and become aspirational destinations for top talent as a result.

The impact of becoming an inclusive workplace is backed by compelling data; gender diverse companies are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability compared to companies that are falling behind in this area. Specialized health benefits don’t just prioritize the well-being of LGBTQI+ employees, but they foster a positive work environment that drives productivity and success. 

How to Become a Destination for LGBTQI+ Professionals

For employers to become top performers in terms of LGBTQI+ diversity and inclusion, they must become a safe haven where all employees can thrive. This starts with examining language across the business, training managers to understand the value of gender inclusivity, and encouraging open conversations, initiatives, and benefits that champion LGBTQI+ visibility and wellbeing. 

Peppy stands out as a healthcare provider committed to providing respectful, judgment-free, and world-class care to employees of all genders and sexualities. With full-time board-certified clinical nurse practitioners licensed to provide specialized care in all 50 states, Peppy helps employers position their company as one which prioritizes LGBTQI+ people. 

Because by fostering a supportive environment, you can cultivate loyalty, trust, and a sense of belonging within your team, which ultimately will lead to increased engagement, productivity, and employee retention.