Dilemmat med inkludering : En kvalitativ studie om HR:s inkluderingsarbete

Sammanfattning: Diversity in the workplace has become an increasingly prevalent issue and is seen as beneficial to organizations for several reasons. As diversity work is deemed important for all organizations in Sweden, there are laws that regulate the issue, such as the Discrimination Act. The Discrimination Act specifically protects ethnicity, gender, religion or other beliefs, sexual orientation, age, disability and transgender identity or expression. The law means that these groups must not be disadvantaged due to their group affiliation, but it does not guarantee that they are included. Previous research shows that LGBTQI people suffer to a greater extent from mental illness. The group is one of those that report the most cases of discrimination and harassment. Therefore, it is relevant to examine how HR works with inclusion, particularly for this group. The following study has a qualitative approach where the empirical collection was carried out with the help of six semi-structured interviews. All respondents are HR staff in regional operations and work to varying degrees with equal treatment and diversity issues. Previous research and theories have been used to contribute to an increased understanding of the collected empirical data. The theories applied in the study are: isomorphism, shop window arrangement and queer theory. The study shows that the scope of inclusion work is affected by politics as the respondents operate within politically controlled organizations. But to succeed with the issue of inclusion also requires commitment, knowledge and resources. It appears that the organizations work more comprehensively with inclusion and that the inclusion work of LGBTQI people mainly takes place through training initiatives and diplomas. Despite these knowledge-raising initiatives, it is clear how knowledge about LGBTQI is deficient. Therefore, the efforts can be explained with the help of outside pressure (isomorphism) and a desire to appear as an attractive employer (shop-window dressing).