"The Business of Inclusion - LGBT Experiences in Asia," 26 January 2017

Companies in Asia have been skirting around the LGBT question, treating it as the elephant in the room. There are almost no role models to demonstrate that members of the LGBT community even exist in business.

A study conducted by Human Rights Campaign Foundation reveals that majority of LGBT employees (53 percent) are closeted at work. There are many reasons why these individuals cannot be open about their identity. Some of the top reasons are:

1. they are afraid of making people feel uncomfortable (38 percent),
2. possibility of being stereotyped (36 percent),
3. losing connection or relationship with co-workers (31 percent), and
4. might not be offered career development or advancement opportunities (23 percent)

So what can companies do to build an inclusive workplace?

...building an inclusive atmosphere that permeates throughout the entire organisation can be put across in 2 ways: subtle signals and bold statements.

...A clear message from responsible and responsive management about the importance of diversity can help eliminate any doubts as to who or what can be made light of while recruitment processes, training and communications can help make the company's stance clear ...

There are the bolder statements that can help create a welcoming workplace for all. Gender-neutral toilets, those without a sex assigned to the door, are a clear sign that gender is a non-issue...

...[A]pplying gender blind & sexuality blind policies boosts feelings of empowerment among members of minority groups and improves overall intergroup relations between majority and minority group members.