Washington: Still trying to crack the right trick of conducting yourself at work? According to a recent study, it’s healthier and more productive just to be yourself. As part of the study the researchers examined 65 studies focusing on what happens after people in a workplace disclose a stigmatized identity, such as sexual orientation, mental illness, physical disability or pregnancy.
Eden King, a co-author of the study, said the decision to express a stigmatised identity is highly complicated. “It has the potential for both positive and negative consequences,” she said. However, the research overwhelmingly indicates that people with non-visible stigmas (such as sexual orientation or health problems).
who live openly at work are happier with their overall lives and more productive in the workplace. King said self-disclosure is typically a positive experience because it allows people to improve connections, form relationships with others and free their minds of unwanted thoughts.
Workers who expressed their non-visible stigmas experienced decreased job anxiety, decreased role ambiguity, improved job satisfaction and increased commitment to their position. Outside of work, these workers reported decreased psychological stress and increased satisfaction with their lives.