'Stop misgendering me, use correct pronouns:' A qualitative study grounded in Queer Theory on perceived organizational climate by transgender employees in the workplace

Granet King, Jill D.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124265 Copy

Description

Title

'Stop misgendering me, use correct pronouns:' A qualitative study grounded in Queer Theory on perceived organizational climate by transgender employees in the workplace

Author(s)

Granet King, Jill D.

Issue Date

2024-04-15

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Huang, Wen-hao David

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Huang, Wen-hao David

Committee Member(s)

• Pak, Yoon
• Ward Hood, Denice
• Oh, Eunjung Grace

Department of Study

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ed.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Human Resources Development
• transgender employees
• Queer Theory
• Critical HRD
• Organizational Climate
• Employee Voice
• Cisnormativity

Abstract

The current political climate provides little, if any, protections for transgender employees, and it is often unclear what transgender employees can expect in the workplace. It is, therefore, incumbent on human resource development (HRD) professionals to ensure that their organizations foster a climate of inclusion for employees of all genders with policies and procedures to protect transgender employees. Using critical HRD and the lens of queer theory, this study examines organizational climate and the transgender employee experiences with voice or silence in a geographic area located on the border of two Midwestern states. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following research questions: 1. As members of the transgender community, what are the participants’ perceptions of the value of their voice in their current workplace climates? 2. What inclusive practices are utilized in the workplaces to demonstrate, or not, inclusion in the development of the workplace climate? 3. What would participants like to see their workplace/supervisors do to build a climate that feels more accepting and encourages their voices/opinions? The findings of the study showed a strong presence of cisnormativity in the workplace, particularly in regards to pronoun use. The participants had mixed experiences at work with support from colleagues and leaders. Many participants did not have specific and formal support systems at work, but support from colleagues and supervisors through an informal allyship had positive effects on their work climates.

Graduation Semester

2024-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Jill Granet King

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