Perils Of Being Differently-Abled At Workplace: Conceptualizing Stigma For Disabled Employees

Abstract

This research provides a deep insight into the challenges faced by individuals associated minority groups at workplaces, particularly disabled employees. The primary focus of this research centers on the concept of workplace stigma. This study provides some key aspects of stigma by highlighting the importance of certain relationships, including the mechanisms of facilitation, consequence, and reduction, which are linked with the phenomena of stigma. Mainly, Despotic Leadership acts a key facilitator, providing favorable grounds for the stigmatization of disabled employees in workplaces. The stigmatization of the disabled employees also has some consequences, as demonstrated the probability of higher occurrence of Deviant Workplace Behavior, Turnover Intentions, and Workplace Presenteeism among those who experience stigma. Furthermore, the research also discusses the importance of Social Support as a mechanism for reducing stigma. When disabled employees receive help, guidance, and emotional or physical support from others, they are more likely to overlook the negative effects of stigma. Moreover, this research postulates potential moderating variables within the proposed stigma framework, with a specific emphasis