PhD defence K. (Karel) Fric

Earlier research showed that lesbians and gays are discriminated in the area of employment. I looked in more detail into how labour market outcomes of partnered gays and lesbians compare to those of partnered straight men and women. For my research I used data from Europe-wide surveys. 
The results indicate that gays are disadvantaged against straight men. They are more likely to be unemployed and their unemployment also lasts longer. I found no difference between lesbians and straight women in this respect.  Lesbians and gays tend to have a shorter duration of employment at one employer than straight women and men. 
The findings suggest that these differences are caused by factors related to both discrimination and employees’ behaviour / preferences. Lesbians and gays who mentioned experiencing discrimination in the workplace were more likely to be unemployed. In the workplace, attitudes towards homosexuality had an important influence on whether employees experience discrimination after coming out. To explain the lack of differences in the probability and duration of unemployment between lesbians and straight women employees’ behaviour and preferences need to be considered.

The public defence will take place at the Senate Hall, 1st floor Erasmus Building, location campus Woudestein. The ceremony will begin exactly at 10.30 AM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.