Measuring Workplace Discrimination among Sexual and Gender Minority Workers

Abstract

As inequities in health for sexual and gender minority (SGM; eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT]) populations become increasingly well documented, it is important to investigate causes of inequities to inform intervention work. One area of importance is in employment discrimination, as there are limited or no protections against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in approximately half of US states. We sought to assess the internal consistency and validity of a brief, adapted scale to measure SGM workplace discrimination. Methods: We modified an existing workplace age discrimination scale to assess SGM workplace discrimination. We assessed internal consistency, criterion validity, construct validity, and conducted a confirmatory factor analysis. Data came from a convenience sample of employed, SGM-identified adults (N = 124) attending a pride festival in Durham, NC, in September 2016. Results: The 5-item scale was significantly associated with poorer health, greater internalized homonegativity, reporting workplace bullying, SGM isolation, gender expression discrimination, and having filed a formal complaint of workplace discrimination. The scale had a single factor solution. Conclusions: This 5-item scale may be useful in efficiently documenting and addressing SGM workplace discrimination; it assesses material forms of discrimination (eg, pay and job tasks assigned) against SGM employees.