Society & Culture - Posted by David Ruth-Rice on Thursday, May 31, 2012 14:46 - 4 Comments 
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(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...To be happy at work, be true to yourself
Suppressing one's true identity—be it race and ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or a disability—might result in exposure to co-workers' discriminatory behavior, as people are less likely to care about appearing prejudiced when they are not in the presence of an "out" group member. (Credit: iStockphoto)
RICE (US) — Hiding your true social identity at work can result in decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover, a new study shows.
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The text of this article by Futurity is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License.
“The workplace is becoming a much more diverse place, but there are still some individuals who have difficulty embracing what makes them different, especially while on the job,” says Michelle Hebl, professor of psychology at Rice University.
“Previous research suggests that employees who perceive discrimination or are afraid of receiving discrimination are more likely to fall into this category of individuals who feel the need to suppress or conceal their identity.”
Published in the journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, the study examines the behavior of 211 working adults in an online survey and measures factors such as identity, perceived discrimination, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions.
“This research highlights the fact that people make decisions every day about whether it is safe to be themselves at work, and that there are real consequences of these decisions,” says co-author Eden King, a Rice graduate and associate professor of psychology at George Mason University.
Suppressing one’s true identity—be it race and ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or a disability—might result in exposure to co-workers’ discriminatory behavior, as people are less likely to care about appearing prejudiced when they are not in the presence of an “out” group member, the study shows.
On the contrary, the research finds that expression of one’s true identity in a workplace can have positive impact on their interpersonal relationships.
“When individuals embrace their social identity in the workplace, other co-workers might be more sensitive to their behavior and treatment of individuals like them,” says lead author Juan Madera, a University of Houston professor and Rice graduate.
“And quite often, what’s good for the worker is good for the workplace. The employees feel accepted and have better experiences with co-workers, which creates a positive working environment that may lead to decreased turnover and greater profits.”
The authors hope their research will encourage the general public to be accepting of people with diverse backgrounds and become allies to them 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 tell co-workers, who can act as allies and react positively, and organizations can instituteprotective and inclusive organizational policies. All of these measures will continue to change the landscape and diversity of our workforce.”
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4 Comments
alex
this idiocracy is why i stopped studying psychology in university . Field is dominated by the liberal drones . Japanese management system which is probably world’s most efficient one relies on harmony that comes from workplace conformity . Trying be ‘yourself’ , a strange idea considering of the role playing behavior hardwired in our brain. We behave differently in a group than individual .And what about people whose true selves go against the politically correct dogma ? Wouldn’t this actually cause disharmony between employees ,. reducing cooperation as workers will be polarized by the groups who share similar identity ?
DA
This is balderdash: those who don’t “fit into” the corporate culture are screened out by the interview process in the first place and, if they do somehow make it through, are soon found out and persecuted in oh-so-”professional” ways, i.e. truth intentionally obscured, denied when detected and the deceit immediately and energetically, often viciously, flipped over and on to the one(s) who have named it for what it is.
The one with integrity, despite being true to his or her self, becomes the target for tarring and feathering so the liars can continue standing in their self-delusion, bolstered by the corporate PR. Such brave and bold individuals will find those in the group are universally weak and defer to those who hold no tolerance or respect for anyone who won’t bend over for them and support their fantastic sense of entitlement.
Those who recognize the profound value of life and truth as a function of justice that promotes a safe place for everyone to be and grow – even in a workplace – will always be viewed as a threat to be eliminated by the host of small-spirits that accumulate there.
Happiness is not found in participating in the lie just to be perceived as part of a “legitimate” larger body and belong somewhere while being monetarily and socially rewarded for the abdication of your strength and self-respect.
Nor is it found in hoping that sh** will turn to sugar one day (and support naive or deluded research in the interim).
Happiness is found in when you avoid dunghills altogether, regardless of how appealing they have been cultivated to appear, and face the road alone. Muster your courage and forge your own way. You will, in due course, find your true kin.
some intense writing, DA
I bet it makes a difference what type of work environment you are working in. Whether it’s a factory, office, or retail, etc… Good article.