IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/ausman/v48y2023i4p711-731.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03128962231176332
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/03128962231176332?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jeung, Chang-Wook & Yoon, Hea Jun, 2018. "When leadership elicits voice: Evidence for a mediated moderation model," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(1), pages 40-61, January.
    2. Frances Bowen & Kate Blackmon, 2003. "Spirals of Silence: The Dynamic Effects of Diversity on Organizational Voice," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1393-1417, September.
    3. Jack Thepsourinthone & Tinashe Dune & Pranee Liamputtong & Amit Arora, 2020. "The Relationship between Masculinity and Internalized Homophobia amongst Australian Gay Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Michael Barry & Adrian Wilkinson, 2016. "Pro-Social or Pro-Management? A Critique of the Conception of Employee Voice as a Pro-Social Behaviour within Organizational Behaviour," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 261-284, June.
    5. Wang, Jianrong & Anand, Smriti & Li, Hui & Du, Wei, 2022. "Marriage equality for everyone? The business case for same sex marriage legislation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 190-202.
    6. Jan Wynen & Bjorn Kleizen & Koen Verhoest & Per Lægreid & Vidar Rolland, 2020. "Just keep silent… Defensive silence as a reaction to successive structural reforms," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 498-526, April.
    7. Raffaele Conti & Olenka Kacperczyk & Giovanni Valentini, 2022. "Institutional protection of minority employees and entrepreneurship: Evidence from the LGBT Employment Non‐Discrimination Acts," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(4), pages 758-791, April.
    8. Linn Van Dyne & Soon Ang & Isabel C. Botero, 2003. "Conceptualizing Employee Silence and Employee Voice as Multidimensional Constructs," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1359-1392, September.
    9. Clemente, Marco & Roulet, Thomas, 2015. "Public Opinion as a Source of Deinstitutionalization: A 'Spiral of Silence' Approach," MPRA Paper 60130, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Catherine Casey & Helen Delaney, 2022. "Keeping It Quiet? The Micro-Politics of Employee Voice in Company Strategic Decision-Making," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 36(3), pages 485-502, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Florian M. Artinger & Sabrina Artinger & Gerd Gigerenzer, 2019. "C. Y. A.: frequency and causes of defensive decisions in public administration," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 12(1), pages 9-25, April.
    2. Ki-Seoung Lee & Yoon-Seo Kim & Hyoung-Chul Shin, 2023. "Effect of Hotel Employees’ Organizational Politics Perception on Organizational Silence, Organizational Cynicism, and Innovation Resistance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Moczulska Marta & Winkler Renata, 2018. "The “Burden” of Knowledge: Unwanted Knowledge in Management – The Perspective of Individual and Organizational Level," Management Sciences. Nauki o Zarządzaniu, Sciendo, vol. 23(1), pages 37-44, March.
    4. Hilal BARAN & Ceren GİDERLER, 2017. "A Study on Determining the Influence of Organizational Identification on Organizational Justice and Organizational Silence," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 7(3), pages 242-258, March.
    5. Bilal Khalid & Rimsha Iqbal & Syed Danial Hashmi, 2020. "Impact of workplace ostracism on knowledge hoarding: mediating role of defensive silence and moderating role of experiential avoidance," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Begüm Yalçın & Ülkü Baykal, 2019. "Development and psychometric testing of the Organizational Silence Behavior Scale for healthcare professionals," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(4), pages 454-460, December.
    7. Bell, Myrtle P. & Özbilgin, Mustafa F. & Beauregard, T. Alexandra & Sürgevil, Olca, 2011. "Voice, silence, and diversity in 21st century organizations: strategies for inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 32094, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    8. Jimmy Donaghey & Niall Cullinane & Tony Dundon & Adrian Wilkinson, 2011. "Reconceptualising employee silence," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 25(1), pages 51-67, March.
    9. Chenlin Liu & Siwei Sun & Francisca N. Mapiye Dube, 2021. "The Buffering Effects of Subordinates’ Forgiveness and Communication Openness on Abusive Supervision and Voice Behavior," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
    10. Allison Ballard & Patricia Easteal, 2016. "Australia’s National Anti-Bullying Jurisdiction: Paper Tiger or Velvet Glove," Laws, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-18, February.
    11. Travis, Dnika J. & Gomez, Rebecca J. & Mor Barak, Michàlle E., 2011. "Speaking up and stepping back: Examining the link between employee voice and job neglect," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1831-1841, October.
    12. Michael Knoll & Rolf Dick, 2013. "Do I Hear the Whistle…? A First Attempt to Measure Four Forms of Employee Silence and Their Correlates," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(2), pages 349-362, March.
    13. Uğur Akın & Tarık Ulusoy, 2016. "The Relationship between Organizational Silence and Burnout among Academicians: A Research on Universities in Turkey," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(2), pages 1-46, May.
    14. Beauregard, T. Alexandra & Arevshatian, L. & Booth, Jonathan E. & Whittle, S., 2016. "Listen carefully: transgender voices in the workplace," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 67793, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    15. Halime GOKTAS KULUALP, 2016. "Calisan Sesliligi ile Bazi Kisisel ve Orgutsel Ozellikler Arasindaki Iliskinin Belirlenmesi: Ogretim Elemanlari Uzerine Bir Arastirma," Ege Academic Review, Ege University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 16(4), pages 745-761.
    16. James R. Detert & Linda K. Treviño, 2010. "Speaking Up to Higher-Ups: How Supervisors and Skip-Level Leaders Influence Employee Voice," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(1), pages 249-270, February.
    17. Li, Chang-Jun & Li, Fuli & Chen, Tingting & Michael Crant, J., 2022. "Proactive personality and promotability: Mediating roles of promotive and prohibitive voice and moderating roles of organizational politics and leader-member exchange," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 253-267.
    18. Tilahun Kidane Diko & Shabnam Saxena, 2023. "Antecedents and outcome of employee engagement: Empirical study of Ethiopian public higher education institutions," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(8), pages 1-30, August.
    19. Xue Tong Dong & Yang Woon Chung & Jeong Kwon Yun, 2023. "The Mediating Effects of Anxiety and Happiness and the Moderating Effect of Social Network Services for Employee Silence and Psychological Withdrawal Behavior," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.
    20. Eger, Claudia, 2021. "Gender matters: Rethinking violence in tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

    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

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:48:y:2023:i:4:p:711-731. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.agsm.edu.au .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.