Sexual Diversity Management By Smmes Owners/Managers In The Mangaung Metropolitan Area, Free State

Abstract

Human resource practitioners have recently developed interest in the diverse nature of the work place, specifically the sexual orientation of employees and how it has been managed by different employers in different sectors. While much has been written on this subject in the small business sector in the developed economies, little investigation has been conducted about sexual orientation as a form of diversity, especially among small, micro and medium enterprises in developing countries, where they are now regarded as key contributors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To close some of this gap, this study sought to determine the extent to which small medium micro enterprises owners/managers in Mangaung Metropolitan area consider/regard sexual orientation as a form of diversity. Using a phenomenology design, a qualitative research approach was used, where a sample of 20 small medium micro enterprises owner/managers, conveniently selected, were interviewed by the researcher over a period of approximately two months. Data obtained was analysed qualitatively using content analysis. Findings show that, generally, small medium micro enterprises owners/managers understand sexual diversity and diversity management but have negative attitudes towards sexual orientation as a form of diversity. The results also revealed that, the small medium micro enterprises owners/managers’ personal skills in running a business, nature of the business, type of business and availability of diverse workforce have an influence on these small medium micro enterprises owners/managers attitudes towards sexual orientation as a form of diversity. Lastly, the study shows that, small medium micro enterprises in the area do not have policies, programmes and practices specifically meant for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender employees.