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Capturing the missing voices: A ‘fair go’ for sexual and gender minority employees in Australian workplaces

Author

Listed:
  • Pradeepa Dahanayake
  • Christopher Selvarajah
  • Diana Rajendran

Abstract

This article explores employee voice within organizations, in the context of the often-complex inclusion of sexual and gender minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI)) employees. This study utilized a qualitative case study approach to gather insights from diversity experts and organizational documents of three large Australian organizations representing private, not-for-profit and public sectors. This research focused on organizational interventions that capture the voices of LGBTI employees, because their voice remains a challenge. While extant literature has largely focused on employee networks as a primary voice for this group, this study identifies several other integral and novel mechanisms. This study contributes to existing knowledge by developing an empirically based theory on voice mechanisms to overcome the spirals of silence. The findings of this study offer practical value to organizations seeking to promote LGBTI voice and inclusion in the workplace. JEL Classification: J15, J16, J71, J81, M12, M14, O15

Suggested Citation

  • Pradeepa Dahanayake & Christopher Selvarajah & Diana Rajendran, 2023. "Capturing the missing voices: A ‘fair go’ for sexual and gender minority employees in Australian workplaces," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 48(4), pages 711-731, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:48:y:2023:i:4:p:711-731
    DOI: 10.1177/03128962231176332
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Diversity management; employee silence; employee voice; gender identity; LGBTI; sexual orientation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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