Does organizational culture influence gender microaggressions in the workplace? A grounded theory approach

PurposeThis article adds to the existing literature by identifying persistent sociocultural norms that influence organizational culture as facilitators of gendered microaggressions experienced by women in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from 25 women employees in the Indian banking and finance sector following an unstructured interview. Grounded theory was utilized to establish that organizational culture, which in turn is reinforced by gender microaggressions, contributes to its prevalence.FindingsGender microaggressions manifest in the form of Alienation, Opportunity Denial, Invisible Restrictions and Sexual Innuendos. The relationship between organizational culture and gender microaggressions is cyclical, reinforcing and strengthening each other.Originality/valueThis is the first study on gender microaggressions to be conducted in the banking and finance sector.