UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR OF A SEXUAL NATURE EXPERIENCED BY LGBT NHS STAFF

As we approach International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia, I find myself curious about the results for a new question in the NHS staff survey about unwarranted behaviour of a sexual nature:?? “In the last 12 months, how many times have you been the target of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature in the workplace? This may include offensive or inappropriate sexualised conversation (including jokes), touching or assault.”

The national average for NHS staff saying that they have experienced such behaviour at least once in the last year from patients / service users / relatives / other members of the public is 8.67%.? The national average for the same measure where staff have experienced this behaviour from staff / colleagues is 3.84%.?

However, looking at the results for LGB colleagues and those whose gender is not the same as that assigned at birth the figures are considerably higher than average – in fact they are the highest of any of the protected characteristics I have looked at.? Looking at behaviour of this type from patients / service users / relatives / other members of the public the figures rise to 11.7% for gay or lesbian colleagues, 19.5% for bisexual colleagues, and 14.8% for colleagues whose gender identity is not the same as assigned at birth.? Looking at behaviour of this type from staff / colleagues the figures are 7.1% for gay or lesbian colleagues,? 9.9% for bisexual colleagues and 10.3% for colleagues whose gender identity is not the same as that assigned at birth.

Of course, not all unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature will represent homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia, and there are plenty of ways in which ‘phobia’ of any type manifests that is far removed from having any sexual implications.? But some of this unwanted behaviour is likely to be homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, and the fact that LGBT colleagues report proportionally more of this behaviour than colleagues with other ‘minority’ protected characteristics indicates that this is the case.

NHS staff care for us and those we love when we are at our most vulnerable.? LGBT NHS staff do the same.? Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is being expressed against LGBT NHS staff from those they are caring for and from those they work alongside.? This must stop.? If you see it or experience it, please speak up about it.