Sexual Orientation and Job Satisfaction: Survey-Based Evidence from Sweden

Lina Aldén,Hanna Swahnberg,Mats Hammarstedt

doi:10.1007/s12122-019-09297-w

Lina Aldén, Hanna Swahnberg + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12122-019-09297-w

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Abstract

We present results from a unique nationwide survey conducted in Sweden on sexual orientation and job satisfaction. Our results show that gay men are more likely to be very satisfied with their job than heterosexual men, both in general and with different aspects of the job. In contrast, lesbians appear less satisfied with their job in general and with promotion prospects than heterosexual women. Among women, we find no differences in the probability of being very satisfied with the job by sexual orientation. However, the issue of sexual orientation and job satisfaction is complex since gay men, despite that they more often are very satisfied with the job, like lesbians find their job more mentally straining than heterosexuals. We conclude that gay men and lesbians are facing other stressers at work than heterosexuals do. We also conclude that the worker’s own expectations about the job and possibilities to fulfill career plans may be possible driving forces to our results. Previous research has documented discrimination against gay males and lesbians in hiring. Our results underline that measures to prevent discrimination in hiring is not enough to create an equal working life for homosexuals and heterosexuals. Measures within the workplace are also needed.

Highlights

There is a large body of literature on differences in labour market outcomes due to sexual orientation
The results show that gay males are less satisfied than heterosexual males with all three of these job facets
The results suggest that disclosure increases job satisfaction; gay males and lesbians who are open about their sexual identity at work have a higher level of job satisfaction than those who are not

Summary

Introduction

There is a large body of literature on differences in labour market outcomes due to sexual orientation. From this data source we obtained information about individual and job characteristics, including educational attainment, country of birth (on a regional level), region of residence in Sweden, labour earnings, sector of employment, business line, and number of employees at the workplace Access to these variables, in addition to those from the survey, enables us to consider many factors that may influence individual job satisfaction apart from sexual orientation. We estimate a linear probability models (LPM) using the following equation: PrðY i 1⁄4 1Þ 1⁄4 α0 þ α1ðGay=LesbianÞi þ βX i þ εi ð2Þ In this case the outcome variable, Yi, takes the value 1 if the respondent has answered that he/she is very satisfied with the job, the wage, the promotion prospects, the immediate manager, and the nearest colleagues, and 0 otherwise. They are not presented in the paper but are available from the authors upon request

Results

Satisfaction with immediate manager

Discussion and Conclusions

Job stressful