LGBTQ+ officers in US federal service: an examination of workplace inclusion and experiencing sex-based discrimination

Workplace inclusion occurs when employees perceive a workplace climate that values all employees and treats them fairly with dignity and respect. Yet, social identity theory suggests that this inclusive culture remains limited among LGBTQ+ employees, especially in hyper-masculine occupations such as policing. Using a sample of 4,578 sworn officers, this study examines the level of inclusion perceived by LGBTQ+ officers in US federal service, in comparison to non-LGBTQ+ officers. The moderating effects of inclusion are also investigated on LGBTQ+ officers who experience sex-based discrimination, to include sexual harassment. Findings suggest LGBTQ+ officers perceive less inclusion in the workplace than non-LGBTQ+ officers. However, LGBTQ+ officers who report working in an inclusive climate are less likely to experience incidents of sexual harassment, while there is no significant effect for sexual discrimination. These findings are important because they extend the discourse on capturing the workplace experiences of an underserved or disadvantaged community in policing scholarship.