Impact of discrimination in the Australian workforce

All Australian businesses are governed by legislation aiming to prevent workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity and serious penalties apply to companies found contravening legislation. Very little research has been conducted worldwide that looks into the impact of discrimination upon gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) individuals. Most research focuses on whether discrimination occurs, to whom it occurs and who is covered by law. It is Australian research that provides the largest body of knowledge in relation to the impacts that discrimination within the workplace has on GLB individuals. Results suggest that despite legislation against Australian workplace discrimination, GLB workers still face a number of negative effects, ranging from increased stress levels to attempting suicide as a direct result of this discrimination. This suggests the need to further investigate the impact of discrimination upon a GLB individual within the workplace.