A systematic review and thematic synthesis of Canada’s LGBTQ2S+ employment, labour market and earnings literature

Abstract

BackgroundThe last two decades have witnessed a considerable growth in the literature focusing on LGBTQ2S+ employment, labour market inequality, and income. During the same period, Canada has emerged as a trailblazer in employment protections for both sexual and gender minorities. Unfortunately, the Canadian literature on LGBTQ2S+ employment outcomes and experiences is disperse and underdeveloped.ObjectiveThis paper brings together this disperse research and provides the first systematic review of Canada’s LGBTQ2S+ employment and earnings literature.MethodsWe start with a systematic review and thematic synthesis of the broadly defined literature on LGBTQ2S+ poverty in Canada. We use a thematic synthesis to isolate the LGBTQ2S+ literature on employment, labour market inequality, and earnings. Our search of electronic databases took place in April 2018 and was updated in January 2019.ResultsA total of 532 abstracts and full texts were screened by reviewers, which resulted in 84 articles included in our final sample. These articles were then sorted by keywords and those pertaining to employment, labour market inequality, and income (n = 31) were included in this analysis. While estimates of sexual minority wage gaps vary depending on the data and methods used, most studies have found wage penalties for gay men and wage premiums for lesbians, relative to their heterosexual counterparts. The literature on bisexual employment is particularly scant but finds that bisexual men and women also earn less than their heterosexual counterparts. Research on the subjective workplace experiences of LGBTQ2S+ individuals find unique challenges, barriers and, at times, exclusion from the Canadian labour market.Conclusions and implicationsWhile the literature on LGBTQ2S+ employment outcomes and experiences in Canada is growing, much is left unknown. The principal limitation for researchers continues to be the dearth of population-based surveys that include questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and relevant employment characteristics. To date, few studies have explored employment outcomes or the subjective workplace experiences of bisexuals, transgender, two-spirit or other gender minority peoples.

A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians

“…Furthermore, enacted stigma is often exacerbated when institutions lack anti-discrimination policies and/or other protocols to protect LGBTQ+ individuals. 75 – 77 Blake and Hatzenbuehler 78 argue that anti-discrimination law “must be better tailored based on the evidence of who is affected by stigma, as well as where and how stigma occurs, or it will be a poor tool for remedying stigma, regardless of its level of enforcement” (p. 500).…”

A Science Mapping Analysis of Sixty-Seven Years of Scientific Evolution about the Transgender Population

“…The cluster does not present associations with themes such as 'TRANSGENDER' or 'TRANSSEXUAL', which can be explained by the incipient reaserch on the inclusion of this group in the labor market. This is evidenced in a study that provides data on the labor market scenario for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and points out that there is a gap in literature on transgender, queer and other gender groups [56].…”

Fragmentation in the future of work: A horizon scan examining the impact of the changing nature of work on workers experiencing vulnerability

“…Vulnerable workers may also face an absence of regulatory protections, union representation, career advancement opportunities, or may have high job demands and low decision latitude 17‐21 . Studies show that certain groups of workers have been more likely to be exposed to circumstances that contribute to vulnerability when compared to population averages, including youth and young adults, women, racialized groups, recent immigrants, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, Indigenous peoples, and those with low socioeconomic status 17,19,22‐31 . Studies of past periods of technological advancement (e.g., introduction of personal computers to workplaces) or economic change (e.g., Great Recession) showed growth in social and health inequities with these groups of workers who were more likely to report barriers to high‐quality employment when compared to population averages 32,33 .…”

“…17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 Studies show that certain groups of workers have been more likely to be exposed to circumstances that contribute to vulnerability when compared to population averages, including youth and young adults, women, racialized groups, recent immigrants, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, Indigenous peoples, and those with low socioeconomic status. 17 , 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 Studies of past periods of technological advancement (e.g., introduction of personal computers to workplaces) or economic change (e.g., Great Recession) showed growth in social and health inequities with these groups of workers who were more likely to report barriers to high‐quality employment when compared to population averages. 32 , 33 It is unclear how the anticipated changes in the future of work will impact levels of vulnerability in the labor market.…”