Beyond the Legal Environment: How Stigma Influences Invisible Identity Groups in the Workplace

Diversity research assumes that social interaction is influenced by a social categorization that arises from visible and readily detectable differences. How does this process work when the differences are not readily detectable? We explore the legal protections that shape the employment environment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Employee responsibilities and rights journal 2006-03, Vol.18 (1), p.29-44
Main Authors: Beatty, Joy E., Kirby, Susan L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affirmative action
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990-US
Careers
Disclosure
Employees
Employment discrimination
Gays & lesbians
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Religious beliefs
Sexual orientation
Social identity
Social interaction
Stigma
Studies
Workplace diversity
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Summary:Diversity research assumes that social interaction is influenced by a social categorization that arises from visible and readily detectable differences. How does this process work when the differences are not readily detectable? We explore the legal protections that shape the employment environment for people with invisible identities and how invisibility influences the common social dimensions of stigma these individuals experience. These social dimensions are resistant to change and therefore change occurs slowly: stigma cannot simply be legislated away. On the basis of our comparisons of social identity groups with invisible characteristics we discuss four dimensions that are especially relevant for understanding the social dynamics of invisible diversities. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0892-7545
1573-3378
DOI:10.1007/s10672-005-9003-6