Problem:
Discrimination in the workplace has been a common occurrence throughout our nation's history. Black and Latino workers and women have been discriminated against in the workplace. Disabled people have been discriminated in the workplace. Older adults have been discriminated in the workplace. The list goes on and on. However, today, there are several protected classes in the US that have federal protection against workplace discrimination. Race, national origin, sex, age, disability, color, religion, pregnancy, and Vietnam veteran area all protected classes in the US (Aamodt, 2022). One group was missing as a protected class - the LGBTQ+ community. Only recently (2020) did this group obtain equal rights against discrimination in the workplace. There are well over 20% of Americans who are LGBTQ+. Many people will argue for religious or political purposes (just as they did decades ago against women or people of color). However, just as with a woman or a Latino man doing the same exact work - how is this any different when a gay man or lesbian does the same, exact job? If the job gets done and the individual is qualified - what is the problem?
Furthermore, the Trump Administration is in the process of taking away even more rights from the LGBTQ+ community allowing for more discrimination. The Trump Administration is trying to ask the Supreme Court to legalize anti-gay discrimination in the workplace. Follow the below for more information: Need Assignment Help?
Review: Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Legalize Workplace Discrimination Against Gay Employees By Alejandro de la Garza
The EEOC will need to step in at some point and countless other advocacy groups are also in the process of fighting this discrimination in the courts. An I/O psychologist must abide by ethical practices around all individuals in and out of the workplace. Ethical codes of conduct "guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideas of the profession," (APA). They are the basic human principles by which psychologists adhere to codes of conduct. The six basic principles offered by the American Psychological Association (2002) are beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people's rights and dignity. Ethics are easily attributed in multicultural issues because the practice is universal. Therapists who are multiculturally competent identify and acknowledge diversity by respecting individual differences based on age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, group identifications, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and disability (Ford, 2006).
After reading chapter 3 of your text on legal issues and paying close attention to theories on adverse impact, as well as the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, how do you think this will play out?
For this discussion I'd like you to address the following questions:
Are there any reasons why an employer should be allowed to discriminate against an LGBTQ employee?
As an I/O Psychologist, what are some important things to consider if you are faced with an employer that is knowingly discriminating against an LGBTQ employee? How do you handle the situation? What would you advise the employer in a situation like this? What would you advise the employee?
Considering this Administrations' anti-gay pursuits, do you think the legal reasons for these workplace practices outweigh the ethical responsibilities of organizations?
As with any higher education course built around research and science, this discussion is intended to open your minds, expand your knowledge, and educate you on ethical best practices. Please refrain from judging others based on your own personal religious or political beliefs. I will not tolerate any discussion posts or behaviors that violate or infringe upon civil and statutory rights of any individual or groups in my class. This is higher education and we are all expected to feel free to express yourself in ways that promote openness within a diverse society
Reference:
Aamodt, M.G. (2022). Industrial/Organizational psychology: An applied approach (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Ford, G. G. (2006). Ethical reasoning for mental health professionals. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications