Weathering At Work: Narratives of African American Women's Perception of Procedural Justice Relative to Diversity Management Practices in Healthcare Companies

Abstract

Employees are observant to their employers' policies and practices, which can reveal a lot about an organization's commitment to procedural justice. According to Judge & Colquitt (2004), perceived procedural justice, in particular, appears to have a considerable effect on chronic stress. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can have a negative effect on one’s wellbeing (Geronimus et al., 2006). Despite this, little research on African American women’s perception of procedural justice in relation to diversity management practices has been conducted. Using a qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach, I examined African American women’s lived experiences in healthcare companies in relation to diversity management practices under a procedural justice framework to investigate if weathering is exhibited within healthcare companies. Weathering recognizes that “the cumulative health and stress disparities that African American women experience throughout their lives result in negative health outcomes” (Warren-Findlow, 2006, p. 221). Two studies were performed. Study Two was designed to replicate, validate, or bring different perspectives to Study One's findings. Its findings were consistent with those of Study One, suggesting that the weathering concept is exhibited within healthcare companies. These findings may encourage healthcare organizations to delve deeper into the origins of health disparities impacting African American female employees and members. Furthermore, the findings of this investigation advocate for research to be broadened beyond the societal level to include the experiences of African American women working in other organizations.