Code-switching for work life self-preservation: A study of the role of sexual orientation discrimination on employee job behaviors and outcomes

Abstract

Despite societal advances in LGBT acceptance, perceptions of sexual orientation discrimination have caused individuals to experience perceptions of threat toward their self-preservation of identity in the workplace. The reaction to the perceived threats causes a sociolinguistic behavior change, workplace code-switching, that has effects upon the individual's workplace self-efficacy and workplace felt stress levels. The outcomes of workplace code-switching in LGBT individuals on job satisfaction and turnover intentions vary depending on the dual path. A key predictor in the workplace code-switching of LGBT individuals is the person's satisfaction with their workplace diversity and inclusion policy.