Survey reveals LGBTQ+ staff lack resources and support for safe work travel

Coinciding with Pride Month, a recent Opinium survey of 500 Australian business travellers highlights the need to focus on the information available to LGBTQ+ business travellers.  

The survey was commissioned by leading travel assistance company World Travel Protection and revealed many organisations don’t offer safety resources specific to LGBTQ+ staff for work travel.

The survey found just 9% of employees are offered information on LGBTQ+ rights before visiting a country if they have disclosed they are LGBTQ+. This number is even lower (8%) for those employees who have not disclosed their sexuality.

Surprisingly, almost a quarter (22%) of Australian business travellers surveyed revealed their employer does not offer any information prior to a work trip, and 39% feel their employer could do more to keep them safe.

World Travel Protection Security and Intelligence Lead, Paul Trotter, said as we celebrate Pride Month, this is also an important time to highlight the lack of resources and support members of the LGBTQ+ community often have while travelling for work.

“Although civil rights have progressed in the past decades, LGBTQ+ people across the world continue to experience discrimination and enhanced security risks,” Trotter highlighted.

"This includes being discriminated against for simply living as themselves or experiencing a lower standard of legal and societal protection than they would normally have at home. When it comes to travel, many LGBTQ+ travellers are burdened with the responsibility of researching the legal system and cultural attitudes of their destination.

“Our survey highlights the crucial need for employers to empower their staff with the education and resources they require, prior to leaving their home country. Organisations, no matter the size, have a duty of care to ensure their staff are well-prepared and feel supported to take on new challenges in their career, and that includes travelling abroad.”

Tapping into the resources of a travel assistance company ensures all business travellers are equipped with the most up-to-date and accurate information about their travel without burdening employees who may feel pressured to disclose their sexuality to their employer to protect their safety overseas.

The survey also found only 14% of employees are provided with a travel risk app containing live destination alerts and location notifications during emergencies.

“Simple, yet potentially life-saving initiatives like a Travel Assist app that is installed prior to departure and provides live security alerts, 24-hour emergency medical assistance and detailed country reports, now serves as a business travel necessity,” Trotter explains.

“As a travel risk-management company, we also play a critical part in educating businesses on mitigating exposure to inherent risks associated with travelling abroad, for all staff.”

Opinium's survey was conducted with 500 people from 23rd January to 2nd February 2023, who travel for business at least once a year in Australia. This survey is part of a wider global survey of 2001 business travellers across Australia, UK and North America.

More information on travel assistance company World Travel Protection at www.worldtravelprotection.com