Skip to main content

Issues of Power and Disclosure for Women with Chronic Illness in Their Places of Work

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Work and Identity

Part of the book series: Palgrave Explorations in Workplace Stigma ((PAEWS))

Abstract

The disclosure decisions of women with chronic illness at work are influenced by a number of factors including: stigma, available flexibilities and the individual’s power within their workplace. The topic of power as it relates to women with chronic illness is largely unexplored. This research found that disclosure provides the key to accessing power for these employees. Power combined with resource dependency theory (RDT) helps to explain the importance of having the skills and knowledge, or access to other sources of power such as union membership, in order for these women to obtain the accommodations that they need for their illness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bachrach, P., & Baratz, M. S. (1970). Power and poverty: Theory and practice. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badgett, M. (1996). Employment and sexual orientation. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 4(4), 29–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bury, M. (1991). The sociology of chronic illness: A review of research and prospects. Sociology of Health and Illness, 13(4), 451–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charmaz, K. (2010). Disclosing illness and disability in the workplace. Journal of International Education in Business, 3(1/2), 6–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clair, J. A., Beatty, J. E., & MacLean, T. L. (2005). Out of sight but not out of mind: Managing invisible social identities in the workplace. Academy of Management Review, 30(1), 78–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, R. A. (1957). The concept of power. Behavioral Science, 2(3), 201–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, R. A. (1961). Who governs? Democracy and power in an American city. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeJordy, R. (2008). Just passing through: Stigma, passing and identity decoupling in the workplace. Group & Organization Management, 33(5), 504–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, R. M. (1962). Power-dependence relations. American Sociological Review, 27(1), 31–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escoffier, J. (1975). Stigmas, work environment and economic discrimination against homosexuals. Homosexual Counseling Journal, 2(1), 8–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates, T. G., & Viggiani, P. A. (2014). Understanding lesbian, gay and bisexual worker stigmatisation: A review of the literature. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 34(5/6), 359–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary, K. (1999). Passing, posing and ‘keeping it real’. Constellations, 6(1), 85–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lukes, S. (1978). Power: A radical view. London: Macmillan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mizruchi, M. S. (1982). The American corporate network 1904–1974. Beverley Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, K. R. (2004). Coming out: Considering the closet of illness. Journal of Medical Humanities, 25(4), 255–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nienhuser, W. (2008). Resource dependence theory—How well does it explain behaviour of organisations. Management Revue, 19(1), 9–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peetz, D. (2006). Brave new workplace. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peetz, D., & Murray, G. (2013). The ‘powerful women paradox’: Why those at the top still lose out. In H. Hossfeld & R. Ortlieb (Eds.), Macht und Employment Relations. Mering, Bayern: Rainer Hampp Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer, J., & Salancik, G. R. (1978). The external control of organizations. A resource dependence perspective. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinder, R. (1995). Bringing back the body without the blame? The experience of ill and disabled people at work. Sociology of Health and Illness, 17(5), 605–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinder, R. (1996). Sick-but-fit or fit-but-sick? Ambiguity and identity at the workplace. In C. Barnes & G. Mercer (Eds.), Exploring the divide (pp. 135–156). Leeds: The Disability Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ragins, B. R. (2004). Sexual orientation in the workplace: The unique work and career experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers. Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, 23, 35–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ragins, B. R. (2008). Disclosure disconnects: Antecedents and consequences of disclosing invisible stigmas across life domains. Academy of Management Review, 33(1), 194–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salas-Porras, A. (2012). The transnational class in Mexico: New and old mechanisms structuring corporate networks. In G. Murray & J. Scott (Eds.), Financial elites and transnational business: Who rules the world? Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaubroeck, J., & Jones, J. R. (2000). Antecedents of workplace emotional labour dimensions and moderators of their effects on physical symptoms. Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 21, 163–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B. (1986). Coming out at work: Bridging the private/public gap. Work and Occupations, 13, 463–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somers, M. R. (1994). The narrative constitution of identity: A relational and network approach. Theory and Society, 23, 605–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, M. (2003). Expectations of consistency in organizational life: Stories of inconsistency from people with unseen chronic illness. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 15(2), 85–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, M. (2009). Bullying, disability and work: A case study of workplace bullying. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 4(3), 255–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werth, S. (2010, December 6–9). Chronic illness, women and work: A model of disclosure. AIRAANZ Conference, Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werth, S. (2012). Negative events, positive outcomes: Improving labour force outcomes via tertiary study for individuals with disability and chronic illness. Australian Bulletin of Labour, 38(4), 345–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werth, S. (2014). Working with chronic illness: The modes of working. Labour and Industry, 24(3), 235–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, O. (1975). Markets and hierarchies: Analysis and antitrust implications. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, E. O. (2015). Understanding class. London: Verso.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Werth, S., Peetz, D., Broadbent, K. (2018). Issues of Power and Disclosure for Women with Chronic Illness in Their Places of Work. In: Werth, S., Brownlow, C. (eds) Work and Identity. Palgrave Explorations in Workplace Stigma. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73936-6_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics