research paper

LGBTQ and the work place

LGTBQ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and queer or questioning. They are used in the description of gender identity and sexual orientations of persons. These categories make a significant percentage in the workforce although most of them do not reveal the invisible LGBTQ identities. They have been traditionally faced in stigma, fear, and anxiety at workplaces but the perception of the public towards them has changed significantly. However, many communities still do not support them especially the gay category on the various basis some being faith and religious beliefs and therefore their rejection in the society and workplaces is high. They are always at a higher risk of being treated unfairly at workplaces, discriminated, being oppressed and in extreme cases harassed and handled with violence because of their sexual orientation. Apart from the negative experience they get from the stigma, they also lack justice since no federal legislation that protects them against injustice.

Treatment of LGTBQ varies with countries and regions, although individual organizations may develop internal policies that either favor or discriminate them. There have been different movements and policies aimed at protecting them at organizational levels although discrimination is still a major problem in many places. Research has been conducted on various aspects of discrimination both formal and informal, and the stigma they face due to disclosure of their identity and their consequences on performance but little has been expounded on how the relationships and support the LGTBQ get in the organization affect their performance. Organizational environment plays an important role in the perception the employees have on the organization being accommodative to diversity, being non-discriminatory, among others. The climate in an organization gives the employees freedom to express themselves without fear especially the minorities who are in most cases subjected to harassment and discrimination.

The aim of this study is to analyze the aspects of the organizational environment that affect the existence of LGBTQ persons in their workplace. The objectives of the study will be to evaluate how organizational policies and practices, especially in the Human resource department from employee acquisition to their management, protect and ensure equal treatment of people regardless of their differences. The study is also aimed at establishing how interpersonal relationships at the workplace affect their experiences and how they help them handle their identities and fight the stigma of exposing themselves. We will also expound on how workplace climate influences the psychological wellbeing by how supportive organizational policies are. The results of the study are aimed at giving a different perspective of experiences of the LQTBQ in workplaces and how the environment in the organization determine their experiences. The study will be conducted through the analysis of existing literature to have a deeper understanding of what has been found.