To be or not to be out of the closet? – LGB social workers’ visibility management in the workplace in Greece

Abstract This qualitative study explores Greek lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) social workers’ visibility management in the workplace. Findings revealed a pattern of participants going in and out of the closet in different workplaces, as well as making a profitability analysis where they calculated the gain versus the cost of disclosure in each particular context. Participants, influenced by individual and organizational level factors, employed a variety of strategies to manage levels of disclosure across diverse work relationships and situations. The implications of this visibility management for workplace policy and social work practice are discussed.