Trials and Tribulations of LGBTQ plus People at Work as Barriers to Their Job Satisfaction: A Minority Stress Theory Perspective

Research shows that young adults who identify as sexual minorities or nonnormative genders often face discrimination in the workplace, leading to higher levels of stress. This study aims to delve deeper into the specific workplace challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals encounter, the coping mechanisms they employ, and their overall job satisfaction. By shedding light on these issues, we hope to promote greater understanding and inclusivity in the workplace. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 queer and transgender participants and analyzed the data thematically to identify patterns. The analysis revealed six major themes: "attitude towards work," "workplace perception," "organizational support," "non-conformity," "social conformity," and "selective conformity" for the lived experience of employees. For coping mechanisms, two themes emerged: "personal resources" and "external resources." Two themes emerged for the career outcomes of the respondents: "organizational" and "independent." Our research has identified the unique stressors that individuals from minority groups encounter in the workplace, contributing novel insights to the existing theoretical frameworks on minority stress and workplace inequity. Moreover, our findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions that can help individuals with nonconforming gender and sexual orientations to manage stress and improve their job satisfaction effectively.