GENDERED CHALLENGE, GENDERED RESPONSE: Confronting the Ideal Worker Norm in a White-Collar Organization.

Gender & Society : Official Publication of Sociologists for Women in Society
Erin KellyPhyllis Moen

Abstract

This article integrates research on gendered organizations and the work-family interface to investigate an innovative workplace initiative, the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), implemented in the corporate headquarters of Best Buy, Inc. While flexible work policies common in other organizations "accommodate" individuals, this initiative attempts a broader and deeper critique of the organizational culture. We address two research questions: How does this initiative attempt to change the masculinized ideal worker norm? And what do women's and men's responses reveal about the persistent ways that gender structures work and family life? Data demonstrate the ideal worker norm is pervasive and powerful, even as employees begin critically examining expectations regarding work time that have historically privileged men. Employees' responses to ROWE are also gendered. Women (especially mothers) are more enthusiastic, while men are more cautious. Ambivalence about and resistance to change is expressed in different ways depending on gender and occupational status.

References

Jun 29, 2002·Psychological Review·Alice H Eagly, Steven J Karau
May 12, 2009·Journal of Vocational Behavior·Phyllis MoenQinlei Huang
Nov 1, 2007·Advances in Statistical Analysis : AStA : a Journal of the German Statistical Society·Erin L Kelly, Phyllis Moen
Dec 1, 2000·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·J C Stevenson, D C Williams

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Citations

Aug 27, 2013·American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP·Carolina BarbosaDaniel Reeves
Jan 18, 2014·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Rachelle HillPhyllis Moen
Mar 23, 2013·Social Science & Medicine·Phyllis MoenErin L Kelly
Oct 29, 2014·American Sociological Review·Erin L KellyLynne Casper
May 18, 2011·American Sociological Review·Erin L KellyEric Tranby
Dec 7, 2011·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·Phyllis MoenQinlei Huang
Nov 25, 2014·Work and Occupations·Sarah DamaskeVirginia Johnston White
Sep 13, 2016·Journal of Family Issues·Kei Nomaguchi, Wendi Johnson
Sep 5, 2015·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·Carolina BarbosaErin L Kelly
Mar 27, 2019·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Kei Nomaguchi, Marshal Neal Fettro
Nov 26, 2019·Society and Mental Health·Melissa A MilkieScott Schieman
Jul 2, 2020·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Kei Nomaguchi, Melissa A Milkie

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