The double-edged sword of having a unique perspective. Feelings of discrimination and perceived career advantages among LGBT employees

• Date: 16 April 2018
• Published date: 16 April 2018
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-03-2017-0060
• Pages: 298-312
• Author: Jesus Gacilo,Brigitte Steinheider,Thomas H. Stone,Vivian Hoffmeister,I.M. Jawahar,Tara Garrett
• Subject Matter: HR & organizational behaviour,Employment law,Diversity, equality, inclusion

The double-edged sword of having

a unique perspective

Feelings of discrimination and perceived career

advantages among LGBT employees

Jesus Gacilo

Birkbeck University of London, London, UK

Brigitte Steinheider

Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Thomas H. Stone

Department of Management, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Vivian Hoffmeister

Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

I.M. Jawahar

Office of the Provost, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA, and

Tara Garrett

Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Abstract

Purpose –Drawing on social identity theory and the concept of perceived organizational support, the

authors conducted an online, exploratory survey of 150 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)

workers in 28 countries to examine whether being LGBT provides a unique perspective in the workplace, if

they perceive their employer appreciates this perspective, and what effects this has on perceived

discrimination and perceived career advancement. Collectively these questions have implications for work

engagement and career prospects of LGBT workers. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach –Multiple regression and qualitative analyses were used to analyze

Likert scale questions along with open-ended options.

Findings –The majority of respondents agree that being LGBT offers a unique perspective compared to

heterosexual workers. The more respondents agree that they have a different perspective, the more they feel

discriminated against. After controlling for demographic variables as well as education, tenure, job level, and

disclosure, hierarchical linear regression analyses showed offering a unique perspective increases perceived

career advantages. Results also showed increased perceived career advantages if the employer appreciates

this perspective. Results of a second regression analysis also showed that a unique perspective is associated

with more perceived discrimination, unless their employer appreciates this perspective.

Research limitations/implications –Althoughsingle-item measuresand a small internationalsample limit

generalizability, rich qualitativeresponses provide insights into LGBT attitudes across multiplecountries.

Practical implications –This study can be applied to future understandings of the diverse nature of LGBT

perceptions and attitudes in the workplace.

Social implications –This is one of the first studies to examine LGBT perceptions that they possess a

unique perspective that should be valued by employers.

Originality/value –This exploratory study is one of the first to recognize unique LGBT perspectives and

examine the relationship between their perspectives and perceived discrimination and career advantages.

Keywords International, LGBT, Career advantages, Unique perspectives

Paper type Research paper

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees often face a double-edged

sword when it comes to how they relate to their work environments. Having

cognitive diversity in an organization can be an advantage and has been linked to higher

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

An International Journal

Vol. 37 No. 3, 2018

pp. 298-312

© Emerald PublishingLimited

2040-7149

DOI 10.1108/EDI-03-2017-0060

Received 14 March 2017

Revised 7 October 2017

Accepted 14 October 2017

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

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