He, She or They – Does it matter in the workplace?

Abstract

This study examines non-binary people’s experience in the workplace with a special focus on the way they experience leadership. Five participants were interviewed and confronted with a hypothetical scenario in which they had to decide whether or not they would take a leadership position. The findings suggest that the non-binary gender identity and colleagues’ attitude towards it affected their decision and in some cases would cause the participants to decline the leadership position. Difficulties navigating the workplace as a non-binary person are also discussed. It is concluded that having a non-binary gender identity complicates not only work life, but most of a person’s daily life. However, more research is needed in order to clearly distinguish what the most pressing issues are.

Keywords

gender identity, gender roles, authenticity, leadership

How to Cite

Donders, M., (2020) “He, She or They – Does it matter in the workplace?”, EWOP in Practice 12(1), 39–55. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/ewopinpractice.87121

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Mila Donders (University of Sheffield)

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