Workplace Discrimination against Sexual Minorities: Subtle and not‐so‐subtle
In: Canadian journal of administrative sciences: Revue canadienne des sciences de l'administration, Volume 34, Issue 2, p. 121-132
ISSN: 1936-4490
AbstractSexual minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals; LGBT) experience workplace discrimination that leads to decreased physical and emotional well‐being, and negative job outcomes. LGBT individuals may also experience microaggressions and ostracism in the workplace. Microaggressions are brief and subtle slights or insults that can be either conscious or unconscious, which have negative consequences similar to direct "old‐fashioned" forms of discrimination. Ostracism, being ignored and excluded, has similar negative outcomes. Microaggressions and ostracism are often ambiguous and difficult to substantiate legally, whereas other forms of discrimination can be observed directly. We review the literature on microaggressions and ostracism, which have recently been investigated with LGBT populations, suggesting future research directions. We suggest practices for encouraging an organizational climate of acceptance. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.