LGBTQ+ in workplace: a systematic review and reconsideration
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
ISSN: 2040-7149
Article publication date: 16 May 2023
Issue publication date: 13 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The inclusion of LGBTQ + persons (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and having other sexual orientations and gender identities) is a crucial step in improving gender diversity in the workplace; however, till date, it remains a significant challenge for human resource management professionals. The current study critically examines this issue of an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ + people through a systematic review of the existing research that has empirically studied their experiences at the workplace. It also examines the resistance and challenges organizations face in LGBTQ + diversity training and provides future research avenues.
Design/methodology/approach
For systematically reviewing the literature, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model has been used. A total of 101 empirical studies have been reviewed.
Findings
The result shows that LGBTQ + people encounter multiple negative workplace experiences, including proximal (hiring discrimination and housing discrimination) and distal workplace discrimination (unsafe work climate, microaggressions and harassment). These aversive experiences lead to work stress while also mandating that people manage their sexual identity and style of dressing. This stress, in turn, impacts their work–family outcomes, job satisfaction and decision-making with regard to their careers.
Originality/value
The paper provides a holistic understanding of the aversive workplace experiences encountered by sexual minorities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Producing Actionable Knowledge about Marginalized Populations and Communities: A Challenge to Editors and Journals”, guest edited by Harry J. Van Buren III, Charlotte Karam and Fida Alfiouni.
Corrigendum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that article Maji, S., Yadav, N. and Gupta, P. (2024), “LGBTQ+ in workplace: a systematic review and reconsideration”, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 313-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-02-2022-0049 says “while in some Asian countries like India, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, Nepal and Bhutan, homosexuality has been recently decriminalized, there still exists a dearth of academic literature based on these countries”. This sentence is amended to say “while in some Asian regions like India, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, Nepal and Bhutan, homosexuality has been recently decriminalized, there still exists a dearth of academic literature based on these countries”.
This change in being made in acknowledgment of the sensitive political nature of relations between some Asian regions and is made in agreement with the author of the article and the journal’s editor.
Citation
Maji, S., Yadav, N. and Gupta, P. (2024), "LGBTQ+ in workplace: a systematic review and reconsideration", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 313-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-02-2022-0049
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited