An increasing amount of research has been done to examine how intersectionality affects employee wellbeing in the workplace. This paper focuses specifically on the intersectional experiences of gender and sexual orientation discrimination as it relates to emotional exhaustion in corporate settings. Emotional exhaustion is defined as "a state characterized by depletion of energy reserves and feelings of being overwhelmed" (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). It is often associated with burnout, which can lead to decreased productivity, lower job satisfaction, and even quitting one's job altogether. Gender and sexual orientation are two important identity categories that intersect with each other and may interact to create unique experiences of discrimination.
Women who identify as lesbian or bisexual may experience both forms of discrimination simultaneously, while men who identify as gay may not be subjected to sexism but still face homophobia. The purpose of this article is to explore the ways in which these two types of discrimination jointly influence emotional exhaustion among employees in corporate settings.
Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination refers to unequal treatment based on gender-related characteristics such as sex assigned at birth, gender expression, and/or gender identity. In the workplace, this can take many forms including unequal pay, unfair promotion practices, and harassment. According to a study conducted by the National Women's Law Center, women earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men (NWLC, 2021).
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions, making up only 37% of senior management roles (Statista, 2022). This lack of representation leads to an overall atmosphere of male dominance, where women may feel marginalized or objectified.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Sexual orientation discrimination involves treating individuals differently based on their sexual preferences. While there has been progress made in recent years regarding LGBTQ+ rights, many people still experience discrimination due to their sexuality. A survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that 48% of LGBTQ+ adults have faced some form of discrimination (Pew Research Center, 2021). This includes being denied housing, healthcare services, or employment opportunities because of one's sexual orientation.
LGBTQ+ individuals often face microaggressions from coworkers or customers, which can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation.
Intersectional Experiences
When both forms of discrimination intersect, they create unique experiences of oppression.
A woman who identifies as lesbian may be subjected to both sexism and homophobia in the workplace. She may receive lower pay than her male colleagues, but also face harassment based on her sexuality. This double burden can lead to increased stress levels and decreased job satisfaction, ultimately contributing to emotional exhaustion. Similarly, a man who identifies as gay may not experience sexism, but he may still face discrimination based on his sexuality. He may be passed over for promotions or even fired for being open about his identity. These experiences can lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness, further increasing emotional exhaustion.
Emotional Exhaustion
Studies have shown that gender discrimination alone is linked to higher levels of emotional exhaustion (Vaillant et al., 2019), while sexual orientation discrimination has been associated with greater rates of burnout (Bradbury & Ashforth, 2014).
When these two types of discrimination occur simultaneously, the effects are compounded. A study conducted by Smith and colleagues found that women who identify as lesbian or bisexual experienced higher levels of emotional exhaustion compared to heterosexual women (Smith et al., 2016). The authors suggest that this is due to the combination of sexism and homophobia, which leads to a sense of being "double outsiders" in the workplace. Another study found that men who identified as gay reported significantly more emotional exhaustion than their straight counterparts (Fletcher & Snyder, 2015). This suggests that masculinity ideals contribute to the stigma surrounding homosexuality, leading to increased stress and frustration among LGBTQ+ individuals.
The intersectional experiences of gender and sexual orientation discrimination can lead to increased emotional exhaustion in corporate settings. By understanding how these identities intersect and creating inclusive policies and practices, employers can help to reduce employee stress and improve overall wellbeing. It is important for organizations to create an environment where all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their identity characteristics. Doing so will not only benefit individual employees but also improve productivity and morale throughout the company.
How do intersectional experiences of gender and sexual orientation discrimination jointly influence emotional exhaustion in corporate settings?
Research suggests that individuals who experience multiple forms of discrimination due to their intersecting identities of gender and sexual orientation may be more likely to experience higher levels of emotional exhaustion in corporate settings. This is because discrimination can lead to chronic stress, which can deplete energy and contribute to burnout (Friedman et al. , 2018).