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The Earnings Effect of Sexual Orientation: British Evidence from Worker‐Firm Matched Data

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  • Jing Wang
  • Morley Gunderson
  • David Wicks

Abstract

Using the British Workplace Employment Relations Study (WERS) with its preferred self‐identified measure of sexual orientation as well as its organizational‐level variables, we find that gay men earn about the same as heterosexual men and lesbians earn significantly more than heterosexual women. Working in an organization with a diversity and equity management (DEM) policy generally has a positive effect on the earnings of gay men and lesbians, especially if they are single. Implications for theories of diversity management, discrimination and market versus household production are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Wang & Morley Gunderson & David Wicks, 2018. "The Earnings Effect of Sexual Orientation: British Evidence from Worker‐Firm Matched Data," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(4), pages 744-769, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:56:y:2018:i:4:p:744-769
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12304
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Nick Drydakis, 2022. "Sexual orientation discrimination in the labor market against gay men," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 1027-1058, September.
    2. Drydakis, Nick, 2021. "The Economics of Being LGBT. A Review: 2015-2020," GLO Discussion Paper Series 980, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Nick Drydakis, 2022. "Sexual orientation and earnings: a meta-analysis 2012–2020," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 35(2), pages 409-440, April.
    4. Jing Wang & David Wicks & Chris Zhang, 2022. "Job‐related well‐being of sexual minorities: Evidence from the British workplace employment relations study," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(4), pages 841-863, December.
    5. Sarah Bridges & Samuel Mann, 2019. "Sexual Orientation, Legal Partnerships and Wages in Britain," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(6), pages 1020-1038, December.
    6. Sait Bayrakdar & Andrew King, 2022. "Job Satisfaction and Sexual Orientation in Britain," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 36(1), pages 21-39, February.

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