Sexual Orientation - Staff Monitoring Report 2021/22

Sexual Orientation 2021/22

Proportion % by Sexual Orientation in 2021/22

Horizontal bar chart showing the proportion of different types of sexual orientation. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
Sexual Orientation-2021/22
Sexual orientation%
Heterosexual/straight69.6%
Prefer not to say/Unknown25.2%
Lesbian, gay or bisexual4.6%
In another way0.6%

Majority of staff are heterosexual or straight.

Scope: All Staff (please see inclusion/exclusion table) 

Snapshot date: 31st July 2022 (Academic Year 2021/22)

Proportion % by Sexual Orientation (LGB+ subgroup) 2021/22

Horizontal bar chart showing the distribution of OU staff by sexual orientation, with the LGBT+ categories (gay or lesbian, bisexual, and in another way) highlighted in pink. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
Sexual Orientation of OU Staff -2021/22 (current year)
Sexual orientation%
Heterosexual/straight69.6%
Prefer not to say16.7%
Unknown8.5%
Gay or lesbian2.6%
Bisexual2.0%
In another way0.6%

Within LGB+, about a similar proportion is Gay or lesbian / Bisexual.

Snapshot date(s): 2021/22 (as at 31st July 2022) 

Scope: All Staff –Academic Staff (Central, Regional, Researcher & ALs) and Professional & Support Staff –data does not include OU subsidiaries (OUSA, OUW, Mulberry Bear) or agency/temp workers.

Population and Disclosure Rate over 5 years

Bar chart showing the proportion of LGB+ staff over five years from 2017/18 to 2021/22, with annotations indicating that no AL sexual orientation data was included before 2021/22 and that AL data was included in 2021/22. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
Proportion of LGB+ staff over 5 years
Year%
2017/184.1%
2018/194.4%
2019/204.9%
2020/215.6%
2021/225.2%

The proportion of LGB+ staff has been increasing over time.

Line graph showing the disclosure rate over five years from 2017/18 to 2021/22, with annotations indicating that no AL data was included before 2021/22 and that AL data was included in 2021/22. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
Disclosure Rate: Proportion of staff declaring sexual orientation
Year% disclosure
2017/1879.8%
2018/1981.3%
2019/2081.7%
2020/2181.5%
2021/2274.8%

The proportion of disclosure rate has been going up until the most recent year, when the AL data is added.

LGB+ = lesbian, gay, bisexual and other non-heterosexual orientation

AL data not available for years prior to 2021/22

Snapshot date(s): 2017/18 to 2021/22 as at 31st July of each year.

Scope: All Staff – Academic Staff (Central, Regional, Researcher & ALs) and Professional & Support Staff – data does not include OU subsidiaries (OUSA, OUW, Mulberry Bear) or agency/temp workers.

Sexual Orientation by Employee Subgroup and Disclosure Rate

Horizontal bar chart showing LBG+ representation by employee subgroup. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
LGB+ Representation by employee subgroup
Employee subgroup% LGB+
Research Staff7.4%
Central Academic Staff5.9%
Associate Lecturer5.7%
Regional Academic Staff5.5%
Support Staff5.1%
Academic Related Staff3.9%

Proportion of LGB+ is highest among Research Staff and lowest among Academic Related Staff.

Horizontal bar chart showing sexual orientation disclosure rate by employee subgroup. Details in the data table available after this graphic.
LGB+ Representation by employee subgroup
Employee subgroup% Disclosure rate
Associate Lecturer79.8%
Regional Academic Staff77.0%
Academic Related Staff75.1%
Central Academic Staff69.2%
Support Staff67.0%
Research Staff60.1%

Disclosure is highest in Associate Lecturer and lowest in Research Staff.

Snapshot date(s): 2021/22 (as at 31st July 2022) 

Scope: All Staff –Academic Staff (Central, Regional, Researcher & ALs) and Professional & Support Staff –data does not include OU subsidiaries (OUSA, OUW, Mulberry Bear) or agency/temp workers.

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