Proposing the safe and brave space for organisational environment: including trans* and gender diverse employees in institutional gender diversification

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore an alternative strategy to decrease disadvantaging gender binarism and cis-normativity in an organisational context by including trans* and gender diverse (TGD) employee voices through the development of a safe and brave space (S&BS).

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper discusses the potential construction of S&BS and the possible integration as well as requirements of it into an organisational environment. The elaborated theoretical underpinning of a queering approach is used to build the foundation and the design of a potential successful implementation.

Findings

Current diversity management strategies are repeatedly reported as inadequate to tackle the issue of gender binarism and cis-normativity or even to reinforce them via various strategies. The integration of S&BS could offer cis as well as TGD people an opportunity to participate in the development of organisational structures and managerial decision-making within a democratic and empowering environment. Managing gender with the support of TGD employees may increase inclusion, equity and diversity of gender in management and organisation.

Originality/value

Although much of the management and organisational literature accepts the concept of gender binarism and cis-normativity, the integration of TGD employee voices through the adaptation of S&BS from an educational context into organisational management has not been explored.

Citation

Ladwig, R.C. (2022), "Proposing the safe and brave space for organisational environment: including trans* and gender diverse employees in institutional gender diversification", Gender in Management, Vol. 37 No. 6, pp. 751-762. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-06-2020-0199