Breaking down barriers: addressing managerial hesitancy towards hiring transgender employees
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 21 June 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the extent of transgender (TG) inclusivity in workplaces, particularly comparing developed and developing economies. It seeks to address the social stigma faced by TG individuals in Asian economies, notably focusing on India. Through qualitative studies, the research identifies barriers hindering TG employment and proposes a theoretical framework to guide organizations in creating TG-inclusive work environments. The research intends to provide insights that enhance the experiences of TG employees while promoting diversity and inclusion in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
This research comprises two qualitative studies aimed at first identifying barriers to TG employment through the lens of human resources (HR) professionals and then suggesting a theoretical framework to organizations for overcoming these barriers to achieve a TG-inclusive workplace. Thematic analysis, using Atlas.Ti software, and the interpretive structural modelling technique were used to synthesize a conceptual framework.
Findings
This study's outcomes highlight a substantial gap in achieving truly TG-inclusive workplaces, particularly in economies with prevalent social stigma like India. The findings show that traditional means may not be enough for building a TG-inclusive workplace, and organizations need to go the extra mile by promoting positive deviance and TG-centric corporate social responsibility initiatives to achieve results.
Originality/value
The results of this study provide insights for organizations seeking to improve the experiences of their TG employees and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The incorporation of HR professionals' insights offers a practical perspective, and the conceptual framework proposed for organizations to overcome TG employment barriers is a novel contribution.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to the participants of this study who, despite the sensitivity of the issue, cooperated and shared their valuable insights. The author is also grateful to the anonymous reviewers and the editorial team of IJOA, led by Professor Stokes.
Citation
Sharma, N. (2024), "Breaking down barriers: addressing managerial hesitancy towards hiring transgender employees", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-08-2023-3918
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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