Approaching the Discriminatory Work Environment as Stressor: The Protective Role of Job Satisfaction on Health

Abstract

Discrimination is a complex phenomenon with adverse consequences at personal and organizational levels. Past studies have demonstrated that workers who are victims of discrimination might show less job satisfaction, less organizational commitment and worse levels of health and productivity. Although most research has focused on the effects of discrimination on victims, less is known about the extent to which discrimination produces consequences on workers who perceive the existence of a discriminatory work environment. The goal of this article is to analyze the consequences of the perception of a discriminatory work environment on employees’ health. The importance of this relationship is studied taking into account the mediating effect of job satisfaction. In order to reach this goal a cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 1633 Italian workers (male = 826, female = 764), employed in private and public sectors, and in different hierarchical positions. Results suggest that the perception of a discriminatory work environment is negatively associated with employees’ health. This relationship is partially mediated by job satisfaction (R2 = 0.17). This study demonstrates that perceiving a discriminatory work environment might have a negative impact on workers’ health. A higher level of job satisfaction might buffer this effect. These findings have several practical implications. On the one hand, Human Resource Managers need to intervene in order to recognize and diminish implicit biases, creating a healthy and inclusive environment (e.g., through training, diversity policies, etc.). On the other hand, promoting job satisfaction (e.g., providing mechanisms of voice) might help workers to preserve their well-being, coping with the negative effects of a discriminatory work environment.

Gratitude at Work Works! A Mix-Method Study on Different Dimensions of Gratitude, Job Satisfaction, and Job Performance

“…In line with this study, Di Marco and colleagues reiterated the role of satisfaction as a mediator in analyzing the consequences of the perception of a discriminatory work environment on health and psychological well-being of employees [15]. The perception of a discriminatory work environment has negative effects on the well-being and health of employees; this study underlines the need for Human Resource Managers to intervene to reduce explicit prejudices in order to create a healthy environment that is free of discrimination, and the importance of promoting job satisfaction to preserve personal well-being and better face potential negative effects.…”

On the Relationship between Perceived Conflict and Interactional Justice Influenced by Job Satisfaction and Group Identity

“…Additionally, this construct has demonstrated an impact on health desirable variables such as mental health, physical health, and the combination of both [25]. Assessing deeper the possible impact of this variable on the organizational field, recent researchers have found that job satisfaction is significantly correlated to self-evaluations, organizational commitment, job burnout [26], and job performance [27], and also on the modulating effect exerted by high job satisfaction in relation to the perception of a discriminatory job context and the negative impact on workers' health [28]. Finally, job satisfaction has been related to emotional intelligence, an important variable that has been widely researched in the organizational field showing relations with integrative conflict management styles [29].…”

The Effect of Perceived Discrimination on Gender Role Conflict Among Men Engaged in A-typical Occupations: The Moderating Role of Work Autonomy

“…Furthermore, when individuals feel they are mistreated because of their group membership, they often feel alienated and angry, which can result in negative work-related behaviours. Empirical evidence shows that perceiving discrimination is a stressor which reduces physical and psychological health; reduce self-esteem, decreases job satisfaction, and increases job tension [28][29]. Research with men has shown that they do experience many of the same negative personal and occupational pressures associated with being a token that women experience in male-dominated occupations [30].…”