| The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the relationship between LGBT employees' fear of disclosing their sexual orientation in the workplace and employee job satisfaction. Data collection consisted of surveying 250 employees ranging between the ages of 25 and 60. Using Spearman's rho to analyze the data, the results of the study indicated that a significant relationship existed between, the dependent variable, LGBT employees' job satisfaction, and the independent variables, fear of job loss, not being promoted, and being harassed. The results showed that as the independent variables decreased, job satisfaction increased. Research already exists showing how external factors impact LGBT employees. This study is distinctively different from other studies because this study shows how the fear of those external factors---meaning the fear of being harassed, not being promoted, or losing one's job---correlates to and/or impacts LGBT employees' job satisfaction. Other studies measure the performance of LGBT employees' once they are out in the workplace, meaning once they are open about their sexual orientation, but this study connects the Fear of Disclosure Scale (FDS) with the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) to measure the impact of employees' performance before their sexual orientation is known in the workplace. With the findings of this research being statistically significant, this study can provide researchers with the understanding they need in order to control the dynamics of their ever-changing workforce. The findings can also help researchers make strides in establishing a more inclusive and diverse working environment. |
