Examining Strategies to Effectively Manage Identity in the Workplace.

As the workplace continues to become increasingly diverse in terms of demographic characteristics (e.g., race, gender, age) so do the social identities that individuals possess (e.g., gender identity). As a result, individuals must sometimes manage their identity in different ways in order to reduce negativity based on that identity, or increase positive benefits that may otherwise be denied. The current symposium presents four empirical studies that examine the effectiveness of several identity management strategies that individuals with different stigmatized social identities (race, gender, pregnancy, parental status) may use to navigate interactions with those who do not possess such identity. In addition, this symposium will highlight several factors that impact the effectiveness of six different identity management strategies to combat external threats (negativity by others) as well as internal threats (perceived negativity experienced based on social identity). Theoretical and practical implications of this body of research will be discussed. A Multi-Threat Approach to Stereotype Threat Interventions Presenter: Jenessa Shapiro; U. of California, Los Angeles Presenter: Amy M. Williams; U. of California, Los Angeles Presenter: Mariam Hambarchyan; U. of California, Los Angeles Reactions to Pregnant Employees Use of Counterfeiting as Identity Management Strategy Presenter: Whitney Botsford Morgan; U. of Houston, Downtown Presenter: Kristen P. Jones; George Mason U. To Discuss or Not Discuss? The Effectiveness of Acknowledging Race at Work Presenter: Sarah Singletary Walker; U. of Houston, Downtown Presenter: Enrica N Ruggs; Rice U. Presenter: Juan M. Madera; U. of Houston Presenter: Michelle R. Hebl; Rice U. Family Identity Salience: Influences of Boundary Management and Employee Sex on Performance Presenter: Samantha C. Paustian-Underdahl; Kennesaw State U. Presenter: Jonathon R. B. Halbesleben; U. of Alabama [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]