What this book is about: Queer at Work uses narratives collected over a period of four years, detailing the stereotypes and stigmas attached to LGBTQIA+ employees in Indian workplaces. It emphasizes that we need to study the flow of information and stigma management strategies in the context of current technological advancements. It discusses the extent to which organisations succeed in providing 'safe spaces' for employees from the LGBTQ community in India.

Why you should read this book: For its comparative analysis of the experiences of queer people in different stages of exploring their identity in their workplace

Review: How do we navigate our non-normative gender identities and sexual orientation at work, and what are the kind of stereotypes at stigma we deal with in Indian workplaces? The 2019 book Queer at Work, by Dr. Sasmita Palo and Kunal Kumar Jha, has some answers to these hard questions. Based on a series of semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted over a period of four years, Queer at Work amplifies the voices of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace, and helps sensitise DEI practitioners and business leaders.

A distinguishing feature of the book is its comparative analysis of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ employees who are out in the workplace, those who remain closeted, and those who are partially out to select coworkers. From interviews with employees who are closeted or partially out, Palo and Jha bring forth the perceived fear of discrimination and harm that comes with the disclosure of identity. We read participants discussing the discrimination they face in promotions, appraisal and feedback after coming out in their workplace, and grasp dearth of welcoming space in corporate India for those still coming to terms with their identity. The lack of legal recognition also plays a major role in this. This becomes apparent when the book traces how, after the NALSA judgement, trans people were more comfortable in disclosing their identity.

Supported by research and narratives from LGBTQIA+ people, Palo and Jha’s argument critically re-examines the foundational principles of DEI. They advocate for a shift in understanding gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexuality, and harassment through various lenses, and a restructuring of the entire workplace ecosystem.

Palo and Jha’s central critique are that current DEI policies fail to acknowledge the historical marginalization experienced by members of the queer community, which favours an assimilationist approach. They argue that ideals of justice, advocacy, and rights should be central to DEI policy. In the Indian context, policies must actively contribute to improving the material conditions of queer individuals, especially those marginalized by intersections of caste and class inequalities.

Queer At Work also contextualizes DEI efforts within legal developments beneficial to the queer community, ranging from the reading down of Section 377 to the NALSA judgement. It offers practical ways for organizations to assess their workplace climate, encouraging a move toward creating queer-friendly and gender-neutral ecosystems. Some of these include:

• A sharp focus on policies that also provide psychological relief and a strong sense of security to employees from historically excluded groups

• Understanding the connection between productivity and well-being of employees

• Critically re-examining the work structure and ecosystem from the lens of heteronormativity to gauge its unconscious prevalence, and

• Ensuring that the leadership has a progressive outlook towards social issues concerning minorities.

A crucial discussion within the book pertains to understanding sexual harassment as a structural issue, rooted in the maintenance of patriarchal gender hierarchies. Palo and Jha argue that conflicts around power similarly manifest when considering gender identity and sexual orientation. They point out that current gender-focused policies in Indian workplaces may not adequately address power dynamics and non-verbal forms of violence, because they remain uncodified.

The nuances of inclusive language, body language, and digital presence all play a role in how we form and express queer identity. All LGBTQIA+ employees know that the workplace dynamic significantly impacts interactions between queer and non-queer employees. Despite many organizations adopting a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, everyday conversations -- say, asking about weekend plans -- can inadvertently reveal one's gender identity or sexual orientation. Additionally, in non-accepting workspaces, legal barriers to marriage and family further alienate queer employees and hinder their sense of belonging.

Through their close study of these issues, Palo and Jha challenge the single identity framework of DEI policies, highlighting the overwhelmingly male-centric construction of workspace and workplace culture. They advocate for a reconsideration of workplace ecosystems, emphasizing the need to identify and rectify heteronormative biases. They urge readers to transcend binary frameworks, and Queer at Work is an important book for anyone who wants to try.

Link to publisher’s page - Springer 

Text by Rajeev Kushwah. Image from Springer.com