A critical inquiry into the dark side of inclusion in LGBTQ+ friendly work contexts and global diversity management practices

This study critically examines LGBTQ+ inclusion in global workforce diversity management, highlighting the evolution of LGBTQ+ research through three distinct phases: initial focus on discrimination, broader exploration of LGBTQ+ workplace experiences, and contemporary analysis of legal protections and organizational inclusivity. It investigates multinational organizations’ adaptation of diversity strategies across different cultural contexts, particularly emphasizing the UK. The research emphasizes the generic and Eurocentric nature of global diversity management policies, often overlooking regional peculiarities and primarily favouring cisgender, heterosexual individuals. It explores the role of institutional mechanisms (coercive, normative, mimetic) in shaping these diversity policies’ implementation in various countries, revealing that even in ‘LGBTQ+ friendly’ contexts, subtle forms of inequality like stereotyping and microaggressions persist. The study calls for a nuanced understanding of these subtle exclusionary mechanisms and for future research to address these challenges in diverse cultural and regulatory environments, aiming to advance a more equitable and inclusive global workforce.