Disability, workplace inclusion and organizational citizenship behavior: an exploratory study of the legal profession
Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership
ISSN: 2514-7641
Article publication date: 26 May 2023
Issue publication date: 6 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Many workers with disabilities face cultures of exclusion in the workplace, which can affect their participation in decisions, workplace engagement, job attitudes and performance. The authors explore a key indicator of engagement—perceptions of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB)—as it relates to disability and other marginalized identities in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an online survey, legal professionals answered questions about their workplace experiences. Ordinary least squares (OLS) multivariate regression analysis with progressive adjustment was used to investigate the effect of demographic and organizational factors on perceptions of OCB.
Findings
The authors find that employees with disabilities have lower perceptions of OCB, both before and after controlling for other personal and job variables. The disability gap is cut nearly in half, however, when controlling for workplace culture measures of co-worker support and the presence of an effective diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy. Disability does not appear to interact with gender, race/ethnicity and LGBTQ + status in affecting perceptions of OCB.
Originality/value
The results point to the workplace barriers faced by people with disabilities that affect their perceptions of engagement, and the potential for supportive cultures to change these perceptions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Nanette Goodman for making helpful reviews of earlier drafts of this paper. This line of study was supported in part by grants to Syracuse University, Peter Blanck (Principal Investigator), from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) for: the Rehabilitation Research and Training (RRTC) on Employment Policy: Center for Disability-Inclusive Employment Policy Research, Grant #90RTEM0006-01-00; the Southeast ADA Center, Grant #90DP0090-01-00 and 90DPAD0005-01-00; Increasing Supported Decision Making in Community Living, Grant #90DP0076-01-00; and, sub-grants to Syracuse University, Peter Blanck (PI), for the ADA-PARC, Lex Frieden PI, Grant #H133A12000, and the RRTC on Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities, Douglas Kruse PI, Grant Application #RTEM21000058. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views provided herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of NIDILRR nor do they imply endorsement by the Federal Government. This program of study is also in part supported by the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Commission on Disability Rights (the authors thank Amy Allbright, Director) and the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (the authors thank Malcolm “Skip” Harsch, Director). This investigation has been a collaborative effort, with many people and organizations graciously giving of their time to enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the legal profession. Leaders from the ABA, Chairman Scott LaBarre of the Disability Rights Bar Association (“DRBA”), President Wes Bizzell of the National LGBT Bar Association, and other non-profit and state legal leaders and associations contributed to this effort. Many people from across the United States acted as members of the project's Blue-Ribbon Advisory Panel, providing feedback and insight into the development of the first phase survey. Countless other legal professionals provided feedback, and we have vetted our ideas at national and state legal association meetings and educational programs. This investigation would not be possible but for this engagement by such leaders in the diverse community of legal professionals, law firms, state bar associations, not-for-profit legal associations and others. As mentioned, the views expressed herein represent the opinions of the authors, and not those of any funding agency, university or other entity. They have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the ABA and, accordingly, should not be construed as representing the position of the ABA or any of its entities.
Citation
Hyseni, F., Kruse, D., Schur, L. and Blanck, P. (2023), "Disability, workplace inclusion and organizational citizenship behavior: an exploratory study of the legal profession", Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 31-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPEO-10-2022-0017
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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