Queer People in Business: An Exploration of their Lived Experiences in their Workplace

Abstract

The Philippines is known to have a high level of queer social acceptance, indicating higher inclusivity and equality. However, in the business sector, queer people often face unique challenges as they navigate their careers in the business world. Consequently, these queer employees pay a high price for defying gender and sexual stereotypes in their workplace. Through a phenomenological lens, this paper aims to comprehensively explore the experiences of these queer individuals in the business sector and the strategies they employ to navigate these difficulties. This study purposively selected seven participants of different work backgrounds to participate in in-depth interviews. The identities of these participants were kept confidential concerning the ethical considerations. After gathering the data, the researchers used thematic analysis to provide a deep understanding of the lived experiences of queer individuals in the business sector, encompassing issues such as discrimination, unfair treatment, and gender stereotyping. Major findings of the study revealed that while the participants perceived their workplace as inclusive, they had their fair share of negative experiences that hampered their mobility in their work environments. Furthermore, despite their negative experiences, these participants learned different coping strategies to manage their emotions and keep abreast with their work. Thus, the paper recommends that organizations with queer employees actively engage in symposiums and seminars to foster an inclusive workplace environment for all, as creating a safe and supportive workplace is essential for attracting and retaining employees, enabling them to thrive and contribute more effectively to the organization.