Reform would “take an axe” to LGBT+ workers’ rights, TUC warns

• Reform would “turn back clock for LGBT+ workers” by ripping up hard won rights, TUC warns
• LGBT+ trade union members from across the UK are meeting in Brighton (25-26 June) for the TUC LGBT+ workers conference.

A Reform government would represent a real threat for all workers - including LGBT+ communities, the TUC warns.

The union body says Reform UK would rip up key rights granted to LGBT+ workers through the Equality Act and Employment Rights Act.

Shredding LGBT+ workers’ rights

The union body says that Reform UK wants to “torch Britain’s established legal framework” which protects LGBT+ communities – and all working people.

In particular, the party has vowed to rip up the Employment Rights Act and the Equality Act.

The Employment Rights Act represents the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, and it will help LGBT+ workers by:

• Introducing third-party harassment protections, so that employers have a duty to protect workers from harassment and abuse from customers, patients and the public.
• Introducing a statutory right for union equality representatives in the workplace to have paid time off for key duties. Equality reps will work with employers to identify and address barriers facing LGBT+ workers, women, disabled workers, Black workers and other groups; and support workers experiencing discrimination, harassment or exclusion.

The TUC says that these measures represent a significant step forward – especially because LGBT+ workers face “pervasive” levels of bullying, discrimination and harassment.

TUC analysis from 2024 shows that:

• Over half a million LGBT+ workers experience bullying, harassment and discrimination at work.
• Almost 300,000 feel more at risk of bullying and harassment because they are LGBT+.
• Over half a million LGBT+ workers feel that bullying, discrimination and harassment is among the biggest workplace issues this group faces.

By scrapping the Employment Rights Act, Reform UK would “effectively legitimise attacks” on LGBT+ workers, the TUC says.

Legalising discrimination at work

Reform UK has also pledged to scrap the Equality Act.  

This Act, while protecting LGBT+ people against discrimination at work on the basis of sexual orientation and gender reassignment, also protects all workers from other forms of discrimination, including on the basis of their married or civil partnership status, sex, religion, pregnancy and maternity, age, race and disability.  

The union body says that scrapping the Equality Act could threaten LGBT+ workers if, for example: 

• An applicant is refused a job because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans.
• A worker is passed over for promotion because of their gender identity.
• An LGBT+ worker is penalised for raising concerns about discrimination.

However, scrapping the Equality Act would have “serious consequences” for all workers, the TUC says, because this legislation establishes an expectation that everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.

Examples of where non-LGBT+ workers would be threatened if the Equality Act was scrapped include:  

• An employee being denied a promotion because their manager disapproves of them being friends with, or related to, LGBT+ colleagues.
• A male employee being subjected to offensive teasing or denied a client-facing role because colleagues incorrectly assume him to be gay based on his mannerisms.  
• A non-LGBT+ worker facing repercussions because they made a discrimination complaint, supported an LGBT+ colleague with a complaint, or acted as a witness in an employment tribunal. 

Evidence from Reform-led councils  

The warnings on the impact of a Reform government on LGBT+ workers come as Reform-led councils across the UK are already showing hostility towards LGBT+ communities – including by banning Pride flags and events from public spaces, and by pulling funding for a longstanding Pride festival in Durham.  

With these measures, local authorities risk alienating LGBT+ people and dissuading them from accessing the vital services they need to stay healthy and be able to access work.  

Recent incidents of hate-based violence across the UK highlight the need for community cohesion and working class solidarity.  

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:  

“No one should face harassment and abuse at work. But far too many LGBT+ people face pervasive levels of abuse in their workplace.  

“Workers and their unions have fought for years to secure protection against abuse and harassment, and with the Employment Rights Act, all workers – including LGBT+ workers - are standing to benefit from stronger rights.  

“But Reform UK would turn the clock back for LGBT+ communities – taking an axe to these hard-won rights and making life harder for workers up and down the country.  

“The party also wants to torch Britain’s established legal framework and effectively legalise discrimination.

“This would have serious consequences for LGBT+ workers – and for all other workers too.  

“Make no mistake – Reform is not a party on the side of working people.”