Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Improving work-life policy and practice with an intersectionality lens

Improving work-life policy and practice with an intersectionality lens Work-life research has been critiqued for focusing on the experiences of middle and upper class, younger, White, western and heterosexual women. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical lens to conceptualizations that take an intersectionality approach, or at least consider multiple identities, in examining work-life conflict and balance.Design/methodology/approachA brief review of the current status of intersectionality research within the work-life realm is provided before discussing the implications of primarily using a single-identity approach to work-life issues. The advantages and challenges of adopting a multiple identity approach are discussed.FindingsThis paper highlights the problems of a lack of an intersectional focus in terms of unidentified needs, ignored values, unresolved conflicts and unhelpful advice. Tensions inherent in trying to adopt an intersectional perspective when dealing with practice and policy issues, particularly with regard to visibility and authenticity, are noted. The paper concludes with a discussion of how considerations of identity and power in work-family research connect to the broader concept of inclusion in the workplace, noting the possible challenges of stereotyping and ambiguity in doing so.Originality/valueApplying an intersectionality lens to efforts to promote work-life balance in organizations can increase inclusivity, but there are tensions and pitfalls associated with this that are particularly of note for practitioners and policy. A research agenda is outlined as a starting point for addressing these issues. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal Emerald Publishing

Improving work-life policy and practice with an intersectionality lens

Download PDF
15 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/improving-work-life-policy-and-practice-with-an-intersectionality-lens-C719H46ioM
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2040-7149
DOI
10.1108/edi-01-2019-0049
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Work-life research has been critiqued for focusing on the experiences of middle and upper class, younger, White, western and heterosexual women. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical lens to conceptualizations that take an intersectionality approach, or at least consider multiple identities, in examining work-life conflict and balance.Design/methodology/approachA brief review of the current status of intersectionality research within the work-life realm is provided before discussing the implications of primarily using a single-identity approach to work-life issues. The advantages and challenges of adopting a multiple identity approach are discussed.FindingsThis paper highlights the problems of a lack of an intersectional focus in terms of unidentified needs, ignored values, unresolved conflicts and unhelpful advice. Tensions inherent in trying to adopt an intersectional perspective when dealing with practice and policy issues, particularly with regard to visibility and authenticity, are noted. The paper concludes with a discussion of how considerations of identity and power in work-family research connect to the broader concept of inclusion in the workplace, noting the possible challenges of stereotyping and ambiguity in doing so.Originality/valueApplying an intersectionality lens to efforts to promote work-life balance in organizations can increase inclusivity, but there are tensions and pitfalls associated with this that are particularly of note for practitioners and policy. A research agenda is outlined as a starting point for addressing these issues.

Journal

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 5, 2019

Keywords: Intersectionality; Identity; Work-life conflict

References

  • A relational understanding of work-life balance of Muslim migrant women in the west: future research agenda
    Ali, F.; Malik, A.; Pereira, V.; Al Ariss, A.
  • Religious influences on work-family trade-offs
    Ammons, S.K.; Edgell, P.
  • A self-presentational view of social phenomena
    Baumeister, R.F.
  • Personal sacrifice and corporate cultures: career progression for disabled staff in higher education
    Brewster, S.; Duncan, N.; Emira, M.; Clifford, A.
  • Different transitions into working motherhood: discourses of Asian, Hispanic and African American women
    Buzzanell, P.M.; Waymer, D.; Paz Tagle, M.; Liu, M.
  • Furloughed worker living paycheck to paycheck: ‘I have $1.06 in my bank account’
  • Work, worksites, and wellbeing among North American Indian women: a qualitative study
    Christiansen, K.; Gadhoke, P.; Pardilla, M.; Gittelsohn, J.
  • Intersectionality and research in psychology
    Cole, E.R.
  • Leisure, work, and disability coping: ‘I mean, you always need that ‘in’ group’
    Cook, L.H.; Sinew, K.J.
  • Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: a black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics
    Crenshaw, K.
  • Cultural contradiction or integration? Work-family schemas of black middle class mothers
    Dean, P.; Marsh, K.; Landry, B.
  • Migration: a means to create work-life balance?
    Dyer, S.; Xu, Y.; Sinha, P.
  • Intersectionality in quantitative psychological research: theoretical and epistemological issues
    Else-Quest, N.M.; Hyde, J.S.
  • Moral dilemmas, moral strategies, and the transformation of gender: lessons from two generations of work and family change
    Gerson, K.
  • Good soldiers and good actors: prosocial and impression management motives as interactive predictors of affiliative citizenship behaviors
    Grant, A.M.; Mayer, D.M.
  • Intersectionality research in counseling psychology
    Grzanka, P.R.; Santos, C.E.; Moradi, B.
  • The impact of organizational performance on the emergence of Asian American leaders
    Gündemir, S.; Carton, A.M.; Homan, A.C.
  • Intersectionality and family-friendly policies in the federal government: perceptions of women of color
    Hamidullah, M.F.; Riccucci, N.M.
  • The intersectionality of African American mothers in counselor education: a phenomenological examination
    Haskins, N.H.; Ziomek-Daigle; Sewell, C.; Crumb, L.; Apling, B.; Trepal, H.
  • Older Americans with a disability
    He, W.; Larsen, L.J.
  • Jesus didn’t teach us to juggle: religious involvement, work-family conflict, and life satisfaction among African Americans
    Henderson, A.K.
  • ‘We are stronger than you know’: work-life enrichment of Asian minority women in the UK
    Hwang, S.; Beauregard, T.A.
  • Work-family conflict among Hindu mothers in South Africa
    Jaga, A.; Bagraim, J.
  • Toward a conceptualization of optimal self-esteem
    Kernis, M.H.
  • The role of organizational and spouse support in solving work-life conflict among migrants
    Krys, K.; Świdrak, J.; Kwiatkowska, A.; Kosakowska-Berezecka, N.; Vedøy, G.
  • The multiple-category problem: category activation and inhibition in the hiring process
    Kulik, C.T.; Roberson, L.; Perry, E.L.
  • Impression management: a literature review and two-component model
    Leary, M.R.; Kowalski, R.M.
  • Work–family conflict is a social issue not a women’s issue
    Leslie, L.M.; Manchester, C.F.
  • ‘together, we are stronger’: a qualitative study of happy, enduring African American marriages
    Marks, L.D.; Hopkins, K.; Chaney, C.; Monroe, P.A.; Nesteruk, O.; Sasser, D.D.
  • Colorblindness as a barrier to inclusion: assimilation and nonimmigrant minorities
    Markus, H.R.; Steele, C.M.; Steele, D.M.
  • Religious affiliation and work-family conflict among women and men
    May, M.; Reynolds, J.
  • Authenticity and well-being in the workplace: a mediation model
    Ménard, J.; Brunet, L.
  • Acculturation and individualism as predictors of work-family conflict in a diverse workforce
    Olson, K.J.; Huffman, A.H.; Leiva, P.I.; Culbertson, S.S.
  • Work-life, diversity and intersectionality: a critical review and research agenda
    Ozbilgin, M.F.; Beauregard, T.A.; Tatli, A.; Bell, M.P.
  • Intersectional invisibility: the distinctive advantages and disadvantages of multiple subordinate-group identities
    Purdie-Vaughns, V.; Eibach, R.P.
  • Intersectionality and work-family balance: a study of black, white, and Mexican-American adults
    Ray, R.; Jackson, P.B.
  • What I learned when I tried being authentic at work
    Read, A.
  • ‘You try to be superman and you don’t have to be’: gay adoptive fathers’ challenges and tensions in balancing work and family
    Richardson, H.B.; Moyer, A.M.; Goldberg, A.M.
  • The invisible work of managing visibility for social change: insights form the leadership of Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr
    Roberts, D.D.; Roberts, L.M.; O’Neill, R.M.; Blake-Beard, S.D.
  • Failure is not an option for black women: effects of organizational performance on leaders with single versus dual-subordinate identities
    Rosette, A.S.; Livingston, R.W.
  • Perceived social support and work-family conflict: a comparison of Hispanic immigrants and non-immigrants
    Rudolph, C.W.; Michel, J.S.; Harari, M.B.; Stout, T.J.
  • Multicultural and colorblind ideology, stereotypes, and ethnocentrism among black and white Americans
    Ryan, C.S.; Hunt, J.S.; Weible, J.A.; Peterson, C.R.; Casas, J.F.
  • The glass cliff: exploring the dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions
    Ryan, M.K.; Haslam, S.A.
  • Work-life conflict in Australian Muslims: is gender important?
    Sav, A.; Harris, N.
  • Invisible families, invisible conflicts: examining the added layer of work-family conflict for employees with LGB families
    Sawyer, K.B.; Thoroughgood, C.; Ladge, J.
  • Thine own self: true self-concept accessibility and meaning in life
    Schlegel, R.J.; Hicks, J.A.; Arndt, J.; King, L.A.
  • Religious identity and ‘secular’ employment: a case study of young Muslim women in the Sydney workforce
    Scott, G.; Franzmann, M.
  • Employed rural, low-income, single mothers’ family and work over time
    Son, S.; Bauer, J.W.
  • Expanding the work-life balance discourse to LGBT employees: proposed research framework and organizational responses
    Stavrou, E.; Ierodiakonou, C.
  • A battle of wills: self-verification versus behavioral confirmation
    Swann, W.B.; Ely, R.J.
  • Social identity and intergroup behavior
    Tajfel, H.
  • Self-regulation and self-presentation: regulatory resource depletion impairs impression management and effortful self-presentation depletes regulatory resources
    Vohs, K.D.; Baumeister, R.F.; Ciarocco, N.J.
  • Bringing home what I’m hiding at work: the impact of sexual orientation disclosure at work for same-sex couples
    Williamson, R.L.; Beiler-May, A.; Locklear, L.R.; Clark, M.A.
  • A qualitative analysis of the experience of female Chinese American church leaders: associations with gender role, culture, and work-family balance
    Wong, M.S.; Worthy, P.; Fung, J.; Chen, E.C.H.
  • The authentic personality: a theoretical and empirical conceptualization, and the development of the authenticity scale
    Wood, A.M.; Linley, P.A.; Maltby, J.; Baliousis, M.; Joseph, S.