Everyone Can Bring Their Authentic Selves to Work

Unique challenges

Our PRIDE ERG sheds light on the challenges our LGBTQ colleagues may face: Fear of discrimination or harassment, feelings of vulnerability, and the urge to remain hidden, leading to stress and anxiety and a host of other challenges.

A study by the Human Rights Campaign found that 46% of LGBTQ workers are closeted at work, intentionally hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity. Survey respondents’ reasons for not being open at work include the possibilities of being stereotyped, making people feel uncomfortable and losing relationships with coworkers, among others.

As a result of experiencing a negative workplace environment or feeling compelled to be closeted, 31% of survey respondents felt unhappy or stressed at work; 28% lied about their personal lives; 25% felt distracted from their work; and 17% were exhausted from spending time and energy hiding their sexual orientation.

Christin has firsthand experience with the effects of remaining hidden. Early in her career at another company, she didn’t feel comfortable revealing her sexual orientation at work. She remembers spending a lot of energy covering, also called masking. Christin describes masking as a survival skill to hide one’s true self to avoid rejection and harassment.

A presentation at the Out and Equal 2020 Conference shared that 61% of the general population spends most of its time and energy masking; whereas that number jumps to 83% in the LGBTQ community.

“Hiding who you really are forces you into fight or flight mode and, research shows, dramatically reduces your productivity at work,” Christin said. “It’s exhausting to spend so much energy covering who you really are – it wears on you and prevents you from being your best self and doing your best work.”

Trane Technologies is different

Christin says working at Trane Technologies is different. “Our inclusive culture sets us apart from the other manufacturing companies I’ve worked for,” she said. “Trane Technologies cultivates inclusivity from the very top, with inclusion baked into our strategy and leadership principles, such as include and uplift one another, and leaders who walk the talk.”

The company also holds unconscious bias training, hosts Bridging Connections, a series of courageous conversations around diversity and invites employees to participate in the CEO Day of Understanding and embrace and examine the Dimensions of Diversity that connect us all.

The cost of not bringing our authentic selves to work is too great

We all benefit when we can bring our authentic selves to work. We’re able to contribute fully to our teams, participate in innovation and use our energy productively and achieve bold goals.

“The cost of not being able to bring our authentic selves to work is too great,” Denise said. “People suffer; relationships and teamwork are strained; and career development is limited.

“Conversely, embracing differences and valuing the opinions and contributions of each person help us achieve better outcomes – from innovation to employee engagement to the bottom line. I feel fortunate to work for a company where I can help give a voice to people who might feel like they don’t have one.”