Work

An embodied examination of the gendered impacts of time during unemployment and related considerations for organisational inclusion

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Employers play a key role in supporting the inclusion of unemployed people. However, organisational diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices do not typically address discrimination against people experiencing unemployment. Utilising a semi‐systematic breakout review, we identify five gendered factors that contribute to the risk of unemployment exclusion: (1) household factors, including breadwinning norms and caring responsibilities, (2) individual health and well‐being, (3) socio‐economic factors including education and social class, (4) decision‐making and support, particularly by welfare states and (5) stigma. We apply a temporal lens to understand these factors as the basis of unemployment discrimination. First, we use the root metaphor ‘TIME IS MONEY’ to understand the role of capitalist temporality in reproducing perceptions that unemployment is time wasting . We then introduce an alternative, embodied perspective on unemployed temporality which contributes to the conceptualisation of unemployment at a meso level. Focusing on the neglected role of employers in supporting the inclusion of unemployed people, we propose a future research agenda for determining meaningful employer DEI strategies.

Source: International Journal of Management Reviews

DOI: 10.1111/ijmr.70021

Authors: Helen Tracey, Mick Brookes

Institutions: Northumbria University, University of Southern Denmark

Language: English

Topic: Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,220