Men at Work On-Line Survey

Being gay and being out is not always easy. Family and friends can be very supportive, but once we head away from our comfort zone we are constantly challenged.

Being gay at work is easy for some but for others being out with workmates is not only difficult but it can lead to harassment, it can reduce your chances of getting promotions and in some extreme cases people may be forced to resign because of the pressure.

Monash University researcher Charmine Hartel is trying to get in-depth statistics on gay men in the workforce. The Australia-wide survey will look at a number of professions. It will look into how gay men are treated, how difficult they find being out or if in fact they can be out at work.

Charmine is completing her Honours degree and thesis concerns the experiences of gay men in the workplace. This survey of gay men over the age of 18 is part of her thesis study and has University ethics approval. The study is openly encouraging all gay men currently pursuing their career to take part.

The reason the study is so important is that there is little sound research available to the gay community to use in its fight for gay rights in the workplace, for improving career counseling for gay men and for advising management on practices that reduce negative experiences of gay men in the workplace.

Participation will ensure that the data obtained represents the diversity in the gay male population.

Confidentiality is very important to the research which has been approved by the Monash University ethics committee. In accordance with ethical requirements, all responses are completely confidential. All findings will be reported in aggregate form and will be made available on GayNet.

If you want to take part in the on-line version of the survey follow this link www.gettingreal.asn.au/menatwork/