Society & Culture - Posted by Amy Hodges-Rice on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:09 - 12 Comments 
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Open transsexuals more happy at work
People who disclose their transsexuality are more satisfied with and committed to their organization, so long as their work environments are supportive. (Credit: iStockphoto)
RICE / PENN STATE (US) — A new study reveals transsexuals who share their gender identity with coworkers are happier and more productive workers than those who are not open.
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The text of this article by Futurity is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License.
For the study, researchers surveyed 88 transsexuals across the nation about their workplace experiences to determine what factors impact their job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
“Almost no empirical research has been done on transsexuals’ experiences whatsoever,” says Michelle Hebl, professor of psychology at Rice University. “Our research sheds light on this severely understudied population’s common workplace experiences and how such experiences can be improved.”
“The workplace is becoming a much more diverse place,” says Hebl. “The demographic makeup of employees is shifting due to a host of factors, such as flexible work hours, increased telecommuting, greater accessibility, and protective organizational policies.
In addition, individuals who were more open with their family and friends about their lifestyle and who identified strongly as transsexuals were more likely to disclose their gender identity in the workplace than transsexuals who were less open and did not identify as transsexuals as strongly.
Co-author Larry Martinez says the study demonstrates the importance of a strong support system, both in and out of the workplace.
“It’s important for individuals to have a consistent identity in the workplace and at home,” Martinez says. “Having a strong support system at home can give transsexual employees the courage to disclose to their colleagues in the workplace.”
The study, published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior, also shows that those who disclose their transsexuality are more satisfied with and committed to their organization, so long as their work environments are supportive.
However, transsexual employees have lower rates of job satisfaction and commitment when their co-workers react negatively to their gender identity.
According to co-author Enrica Ruggs, the study demonstrates how essential co-workers and organizations are in fostering a positive work environment.
“Often, what’s good for the worker is good for the workplace—in this case, an open and accepting culture is really a win-win situation for all involved,” she says. “The employees feel accepted, are more productive, and have better experiences with co-workers. This creates a positive working environment that may lead to decreased turnover and greater profits.”
The research generalizes to other groups of individuals who face workplace discrimination and face the decision as to whether they should disclose concealable stigmas such as their sexual orientation, chronic illness, or learning disability, Ruggs adds.
The authors hope their research will encourage the general public to be accepting of, and allies to, people with different lifestyle choices than their own—and encourage employers to implement policies that foster a positive organizational culture.
“I think this study really demonstrates that everyone can have a role in making the workplace more inclusive,” Hebl says. “Individuals can tell supportive others, others can be allies and react positively, and organizations can institute protective and inclusive organizational policies. All of these measures will continue to change the landscape and diversity of our workforce.”
This study was funded by Rice University and Pennsylvania State University.
More news from Rice University: www.media.rice.edu/media/
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12 Comments
kadinh
Dana Lane Taylor
@kadinh Actually, there are a lot of those under the transgender umbrella who most certainly make lifestyle choices. However, being transsexuals is not a choice. Transsexual really doesn’t belong in that political umbrella as it is oppressive to those of us who face real discrimination in the workplace, workplace and every single hour of every day of our lives.
Dana Lane Taylor
oops…workplace, healthcare…not workplace workplace.
We should all take every opportunity to tell our coworkers about our transsexual experiences – they always like to hear about our changing bodies and experiences, but are often too shy to ask.
Alex
Why is this article on science news? Anyway article fails to mention that liberal nonsense like this will alienate socially conservative employees .
Wesley
@Alex. Cool how an article that basically is summed up as “be nice to each other and your work environment will be happier” can be described as “liberal nonsense.” Get over it. This isn’t about being liberal or conservative. It’s about treating each other like human beings.
This will be a tad rambling – its Sunday morning and I can’t sleep.
Oh, I suppose it can be considered a “lifestyle choice” the same way, for example, forced abstinence can be considered a “choice” … Many transsexuals and transgender people in general are forced so deep into the closet that their productivity and their psychological well-being is destroyed. This is bad for business – hence why American large corporations have taken the lead in transgender and LGBT acceptance in general. Universities in the USA are doing much better, though there is work to do.
The next move should be to remove all societal and legislative restrictions on simply *existing* and simply *being*. What a 21st Century concept! Reminds me of … the 60′s and 70′s, actually. Considering that western society is back into a severe Recession, just like the 70′s, well, gee, can’t be do the liberation thing again? Only this time liberate everyone? Because when the HRC throws the transgenders under the proverbial bus to try to get legislation passed in the US Congress, why should straight people not do the same thing? Here’s an idea: because its MORALLY WRONG to discriminate!
I’ll tell you what society and the future needs: MANNERS training for all. Whatever happened to common courtesy, decency, acceptance of people’s differences, and trying to all get along? Whatever happened to being NICE and not constantly judging one another? For conservatives out there, whatever happened to “minding one’s own business” and respecting individuality?
As a married white man of 28 years (same wife, a genetic female) with 3 grown kids (all hetero, all lined up more or less gender-wise), I can tell you that we raised our kids to accept differences, enjoy them, and to not feel threatened by people who have a need to come out of that dark closet – but rather to help them shed their chrysalis and grow as individuals. Is this such a bad thing? My marriage has NEVER needed “defending” from anyone or anything – this Defense of Marriage Act nonsense is the work of cowards and the frightened. You want to be frightened? Be frightened of society or government trying to tell you how you can, and can’t, exist on this planet. THAT is far more scary.
In the two companies I Founded, I worked to create an inclusive workplace, and actively tried to recruit diversity – but I will tell you that it takes real work to even find and recruit talented individuals no matter gender, race, sexuality, whatever. Mostly small companies are at a huge disadvantage. Seems a decent trade-off to me to let a MtF or FtM individual be who they are in exchange for loyalty and hard work! The transgendered amongst us need to step it up, though, and focus on work and not so much on themselves. We’ve got a Better Society to build.
Oh, and one more thing in this admittedly inchoate discussion: this abject fear of sexuality and even dating in the workplace. It has to go. Its not healthy to prohibit normal human relations (which includes diverse relations, n’est pas?) at work as long as it doesn’t interfere (too much). And the world would be a better place with more public displays of genuine affection, too.
This doesn’t apply to you, Sandusky. You’re a very, very bad man.
Alex
@Wesley nein ? i think people are forgetting, puny little fact that best labour results can be achieved through the conformity to the social norms of the working group. Pretending to be a female while you clearly not one , is a taboo in my culture . You can pretend to be whatever you want at your leisure time , be it a woman , or Gandalf the wizard . When you are at work you assume persona of employee conforming to the firms culture and identity. Treating each other like a ‘human being ‘ is a example of ambiguous ,trendy liberal terms . You will be very surprised to find out that each culture will have a different interpretation of this statement .
@Allen what is morally right and what is wrong is determined by prevailing social values , in its root morally is subjective and relative .
Valeria
Alex,what culture are you from?Im Mexican and in the Mexican culture you have allot more Gays and Transsexuals than in whites,and i is very open.Anyways,as a Transsexual i think that we should have the same right just as anyone else to work with dignity and respect from others.Optanning an employment is a basic right that we all need to live.Oh and one more thing,being a transsexual/transgender or gay is not a choice is just what you are!
Valeria
Alex,and it shows that you are very insecure about your sexuality.I can tell you because of experiences that i’ve had with men.So,mmm you are not fulling me:)
Valeria
Alex@,and it shows that you are very insecure about your sexuality.I can tell you because of experiences that i’ve had with men.So,mmm you are not fulling me:)
Valeria M
Alex@,and it shows that you are very insecure about your sexuality,im just being honest,here:)
“The authors hope their research will encourage the general public to be accepting of, and allies to, people with different lifestyle choices than their own”
This implies that these “concealable stigmas – gender identity, sexual orientation, chronic illiness, learning disability, etc- are choices. I didn’t choose to be transgender any more that my Aunt chose to have Lupus.