Date of Graduation

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Management

Advisor/Mentor

Stoverink, Adam C.

Committee Member

MacGowan, Rebecca

Second Committee Member

Younger, Shannon

Keywords

Management; Menstruation; Stigma; Supervisor vulnerability

Abstract

Management research has traditionally overlooked the significance of the human body in the workplace. However, recent recognition of organizational body work has prompted the examination of biological processes such as pregnancy and breastfeeding. Menstruation, however, has received little attention, despite the challenges faced by menstruating employees. The invisibility and silence around menstruation at work hinders managers' understanding of employee needs and prevents employees from accessing needed accommodations. An important first step in remedying this problem is understanding the factors influencing employees to disclose their menstrual symptoms and seek support. Bringing together theories of organizational body work and concealable stigmas, this research answers the call for greater attention to be paid to the motives of disclosure decisions to promote inclusivity and accommodate the needs of menstruating employees. I investigate this phenomenon through two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative. Study 1 employs a qualitative approach, involving full-time menstruating employees, to develop a theoretical understanding of why employees choose to disclose or conceal their menstrual status and related side effects from their supervisors. Drawing on the insights from Study 1, a conceptual model is developed in Study 2, highlighting the role of supervisor vulnerability as a key factor influencing both disclosure and accommodation-seeking for menstruating employees. To empirically test this model, Study 2 employs experimental vignettes with full-time menstruating employees.

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