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Care for the self, overcompensation and bodily crafting: The work–life balance of disabled people

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  • Eline Jammaers
  • Jannine Williams

Abstract

This article argues that studies on work–life balance have neglected the impact of the self‐care needs of disabled people in managing their health in and outside the workplace. Taking a social constructionist approach, we outline how the heteronormative discourse of work–life balance is not only gendered but also ableist in that it assumes an individual who is able‐bodied. By analysing the narratives of 66 male and female employees with a broad range of impairments, this article investigates how they experience work–life balance issues and reflects on how gender intersects with these. It further highlights the strategies disabled people develop, conceptualizing the individualized work of ‘bodily crafting’ that is undertaken to articulate work and life. Through the perspective of the Othered body, we extend current critical debates on fitness and health discourses in organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Eline Jammaers & Jannine Williams, 2021. "Care for the self, overcompensation and bodily crafting: The work–life balance of disabled people," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 119-137, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:28:y:2021:i:1:p:119-137
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ivy Chan & Patrick Y.K. Chau, 2005. "Getting Knowledge Management Right: Lessons from Failure," International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM), IGI Global, vol. 1(3), pages 40-54, July.
    2. Katherine J.C. Sang & James Richards & Abigail Marks, 2016. "Gender and Disability in Male-Dominated Occupations: A Social Relational Model," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(6), pages 566-581, November.
    3. George, Ajesh & Vickers, Margaret H & Wilkes, Lesley & Barton, Belinda, 2008. "Working and caring for a child with chronic illness: Barriers in achieving work-family balance," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 59-72, March.
    4. Tina Skinner & Fiona MacGill, 2015. "Combining Dyslexia and Mothering: Perceived Impacts on Work," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 421-435, July.
    5. Jenny Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo & Jenny K. Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo, 2016. "The Theory and Praxis of Intersectionality in Work and Organisations: Where Do We Go From Here?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 201-222, May.
    6. Frans B. M. de Waal, 2005. "A century of getting to know the chimpanzee," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7055), pages 56-59, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kathleen Riach & Gavin Jack, 2021. "Women’s Health in/and Work: Menopause as an Intersectional Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Anica Zeyen & Oana Branzei, 2023. "Disabled at Work: Body-Centric Cycles of Meaning-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(4), pages 767-810, July.
    3. Booth, Jonathan & Lup, Daniela, 2024. "Enabling inclusion: an analysis of positive and negative outcomes of discretionary work arrangements for employees with disabilities," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126269, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Eline Jammaers, 2023. "Theorizing Discursive Resistance to Organizational Ethics of Care Through a Multi-stakeholder Perspective on Disability Inclusion Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 333-345, March.

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