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Speaking up, leaving or keeping silent: racialized employees in the Swedish elderly care sector

Author

Listed:
  • Alireza Behtoui

    (Stockholm University, Sweden)

  • Kristina Boréus

    (Uppsala University, Sweden)

  • Anders Neergaard

    (Linköping University, Sweden)

  • Soheyla Yazdanpanah

    (Södertörn University, Sweden)

Abstract

When encountering problems and dissatisfaction in the workplace, employees may choose between three strategies: voice; exit; or silence. Using survey data and interview material from a study of employees in an elderly care organization in Sweden, this article investigates the workers’ perceptions of the eligibility and prospects of these strategies and which individual characteristics and situational factors might affect them. The focus is on racialized workers (operationalized through their region of birth) who, according to earlier studies, are less likely than other employees to choose voice behaviour. Contrary to some earlier studies, the results here attribute such a propensity to the importance of power differences across ‘racial hierarchies’ rather than to differences in cultural values. Individuals in this (racialized) category have a lower occupational status, earn less and experience less favourable relationships with their managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Alireza Behtoui & Kristina Boréus & Anders Neergaard & Soheyla Yazdanpanah, 2017. "Speaking up, leaving or keeping silent: racialized employees in the Swedish elderly care sector," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(6), pages 954-971, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:6:p:954-971
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016667042
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frances J. Milliken & Elizabeth W. Morrison & Patricia F. Hewlin, 2003. "An Exploratory Study of Employee Silence: Issues that Employees Don’t Communicate Upward and Why," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1453-1476, September.
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