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Disability, Pity, and the Workplace.
Jonathon S Breen1, Viviana J Shiffman2, Susan J Forwell3
1Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. jon@jonbreen.ca.
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
|November 2, 2024
Summary
Perceptions of pity often lead to negative stereotypes for people with disabilities, impacting their employment success. Understanding these biases is crucial for effective workplace strategies and training.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Disability Studies
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Negative stereotypes and pity can influence societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities.
- Understanding these perceptions is vital for improving employment outcomes and workplace inclusivity for people with disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how pity directed towards people with disabilities affects their employment success.
- To inform disability-related training and strategic planning within the workplace.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted: one assessing characteristics associated with people with disabilities, and another correlating pity perceptions with disability complexity.
- Surveys measured perceived characteristics and willingness to donate money to individuals using mobility aids, exploring affect-based responses.
Main Results:
- People with disabilities were frequently assigned negative characteristics like 'unfortunate,' 'limited,' and 'tragic.'
- Individuals with more complex disabilities were perceived as needing greater financial assistance, highlighting a link between perceived need and pity.
Conclusions:
- Findings offer an empirically grounded foundation for organizational planners, human resource professionals, managers, and recruiters.
- Strategies can be developed to address affect-based responses to disability, promoting more equitable workplace practices.
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