Project info
Project name
6.5 Informal Social Networks and Organizational Inclusion: The Invisible Minority’s Dilemma
Work package
- Inclusion
Sustainability threat
- Feedback Cycles
Challenge
- Dealing with diversity
Study info
Related studies according to other researchers
That’s My Cue: The Impact of Organizational, Conversational, and Conversation Partner’s Characteristics on LGB Employees’ Selective Disclosure Decisions at Work
“In Certain Situations, it’s Better for You to Act this Way Rather than Another” — LGBQ Academic Staff Members’ Selective Disclosure Decisions at Work
Description of Study
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) employees' sexual identity may be considered a concealable stigmatized identity. Disclosing it to others at work could potentially lead to discrimination and rejection, hence threatening their inclusion. Therefore, they may hide their sexual identity instead, which may then come at the cost of, e.g. guilt for not living authentically. However, disclosure is a continuum — rather than a dichotomy — meaning that LGB workers may decide to disclose selectively, i.e., telling some, but not all co-workers. Most literature on disclosure focuses on the interplay between intrapersonal (e.g., psychological) and contextual (e.g., organizational) characteristics, thereby somewhat overlooking the role of interpersonal (e.g., relational) characteristics. In this study, we present findings from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine Dutch lesbian and gay employees, conducted in early 2020, to gain a better understanding of interpersonal antecedents to disclosure decisions at work. Through our thematic analyses, we find that LGB workers may adopt a proactive or reactive approach to disclosure, which relates to the salience of their sexual identity at work (high/low) and their concern for anticipated acceptance. Other themes facilitating disclosure include an affective dimension, being in a relationship, and associating with the employee resource group. We demonstrate the importance of studying disclosure at the interpersonal level and reflect on how our findings relate to literature on disclosure, authenticity, belonging, and social inclusion of LGB individuals at work.
Study research question
How do interpersonal characteristics play a role in LGB employees' selective sexual identity disclosure decisions across social relationships with different colleagues?
Collection provenance
- Collected during project
Collection methods
- Interview
Personal data
Yes
External Source
Source description
File formats
- .docx
- Atlas.ti
Data types
- Structured
- Unstructured
Languages
- Dutch
Coverage start
Coverage end
Spatial coverage
The Netherlands
Collection period start
30/01/2020
Collection period end
10/03/2020
Variables
Unit
Unit description
Sample size
Sampling method
Individuals
Lesbian and gay employees at a Dutch logistics organization
9
Gatekeeper strategy paired with snowball sampling
Hypothesis
Theory
Variable type
Variable name
Variable description
Dependent variable
Selective disclosure
The degree to and ways in which an LGB employee has selectively disclosed their sexual identity to others at work, i.e. telling some, but not all colleagues
Independent variable
Need for authenticity
The expression of one's "true self"
Independent variable
Need for belonging
An individual's need to create and sustain stable relationships with others
Independent variable
Anticipated acceptance
The extent to which an LGB employee believes that an interaction partner would be accepting of their concealable stigmatized identity, should they disclose it
Discipline-specific operationalizations
Conflict of interest
None
Data packages
Interpersonal Antecedents to Selective Disclosure of Lesbian and Gay Identities at Work
Data package DOI
—
Description
Data package corresponding to the study Interpersonal Antecedents to Selective Disclosure of Lesbian and Gay Identities at Work
Accessibility
Closed Access
Repository
University of Groningen Y-drive
User license
Retention period
10
Publications
Interpersonal Antecedents to Selective Disclosure of Lesbian and Gay Identities at Work
Social Inclusion, 9(4), 388-398. doi:10.17645/si.v9i4.4591
Documents
Filename
Description
Date
Semi-structured interview guide
2021/12/23
Ethics
Ethical assessment
Yes
Ethical committee
Ethics Committee of Sociology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen