CHICAGO, July 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional Diversity Network (NASDAQ:IPDN) released its quarterly Diversity Jobs Index and Report (DJR). The quarterly report explores the overall strength of the job market heading into the Q3. It examines the two-tier job market—the Technology sector and all other sectors— created by consistent advances in technology and the growing presence of women, Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, Veterans, the Disabled and LGBT community members in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) jobs. The report also looks at the barriers LGBT workers face in the workplace.

"'Constant' and 'change' are the two words that best describe the second quarter of 2015," said Star Jones, President of Professional Diversity Network and the National Association of Professional Women. "The job market remains strong and the prominence of technology in our lives continues to positively impact the employment outlook. Change is in the air for the LGBT community as the US Supreme Court upheld marriage equality in its June 26 ruling. This landmark decision will afford LGBT workers the same employer-provided healthcare benefits and legal benefits that heterosexual couples have long received."

Other highlights:

• Let's Get Technical: Less than 2% of workers with STEM skills were laid off during the recession, while 9% of workers without STEM skills were laid off during this same period. 
• (LGBT): Equality and Inclusion in the Workplace . . . and Beyond: Though only 3.5% of workers identify as LGBT, members of the LGBT community are typically high achievers within the labor force.
• Average unemployment rate decreased by 0.48% percentage points from 5.84% to 5.36% in Q2, compared to the average unemployment rate in Q1.

To download a complimentary copy of the full report, visit http://diversityjobnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Diversity_Jobs_Report-2015-Q2.pdf

About Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Professional Diversity Network (PDN) is an internet software and services company that develops and operates online professional networking communities dedicated to serving diverse professionals and employers seeking to hire Women, Minorities, Veterans, LGBT and Disabled professionals. PDN's subsidiary, the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), is one of the largest and most-recognized networking organizations of professional women in the US, with over 700,000 members representing more than 200 industries. For more information visit, www.prodivnet.com.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/professional-diversity-network-q2-2015-jobs-report-highlights-two-tier-job-market-lgbt-community-in-workforce-300109154.html

SOURCE Professional Diversity Network