D.B.A.  Baker College (Michigan), 2022.
Specialization:  Business administration

Strategies for influencing and maintaining employee engagement of transgender employees who transition at work
138 pages. UMI #: 29253003
Citation, Abstract & Full text in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database

Employee engagement is a critical component of performance management and organizational success. There is a problem with changes to transgender employees’ engagement when transitioning at work. The purpose of the research study was to understand how transgender employees’ engagement was impacted by their workplace experiences while transitioning. A qualitative research method was used to research how employee engagement is impacted while transitioning at work. The research design consisted of a phenomenological approach to help describe the lived experiences of the study participants. The target population included transgender individuals who completed their transition while employed. Participants had to have been employed by the same employer throughout their transition at work. A nonprobability, purposive sampling procedure was used to identify participants for the study. One on one, semistructured interviews were used to collect data from the participants. A pilot study was conducted with the first two qualified participants from the interest survey. The results were analyzed to identify strategies to support transgender employees’ motivation levels and influence and maintain engagement when they are transitioning at work. The results of the research study showed that the experiences transgender individuals had when transitioning at work caused changes in their relationships and engagement. The interactions transgender individuals have with leaders, coworkers, and stakeholders had an impact on their work experiences. The research is helpful in developing strategies for leaders to influence and maintain engagement of transgender employees who are transitioning at work. Human resource teams can prepare company leaders to support transgender employees transitioning at work with strong diversity and inclusion practices, effective communication, and employee training programs. Future research is needed to identify reasons transgender individuals change jobs while transitioning at work. Future research could also include how the looking for, interviewing for, and starting a new job while transitioning affect a transgender individual’s engagement.

• Susan Cathcart, Ph.D., Chair
• Polly Bashore, Ph.D.
• Mary Dereshiwsky, Ph.D.