Trans people in the workplace: Possibilities for subverting heteronormativity

Watson, David, Benozzo, Angelo and Fida, Roberta (2024) Trans people in the workplace: Possibilities for subverting heteronormativity. Work, Employment and Society, 38 (3). pp. 744-765. ISSN 0950-0170

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Abstract

This article explores possible subversions of heteronormativity through trans gender performativity in the workplace. Drawing on insights from Judith Butler we focus on how employees construct (un)intelligible subject positions that can create ‘moments’ of subversion, which go against the disciplinary, powerful and normative gender binary. We explore this possibility through an analysis of qualitative material generated through encounters with 11 Italian trans workers. Our analysis shows that subversion manifests in diverse ways according to how individual performativities combine with organisational context. Within this diversity we highlight three moments of subversion: subversion through intrigue; subversion through incongruence; and subversion through betrayal. We argue that where trans gender identity contrasts strongly with gender norms, subversion is most intense. The subversion of strongly heteronormative working contexts is difficult as moments of subversion are unpredictable, varied and can come at personal cost, but are necessary in order to accommodate different gender identities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	gender performativity,heteronormativity,heterosexual matrix,judith butler,subversion,trans people,sdg 5 - gender equality,sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth,4* ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/gender_equality
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Employment Systems and Institutions
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2023 13:32
Last Modified:	29 Jun 2025 00:56
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/90480
DOI:	10.1177/09500170231155059

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