When Microaggressions Backfire: Destructive Voice, Workplace Embitterment, and Inclusive Leadership

This research explores the role of microaggressions towards women in promoting destructive voice behavior at work. Building on the social exchange perspective and the norms of reciprocity, we propose that workplace embitterment mediates the relationship between experienced microaggressions and destructive voice behavior among female employees. We also provide a boundary condition, i.e., inclusive leadership, that can buffer the impact of workplace embitterment on destructive voice behavior. Our findings from a vignette study (Study 1) conducted with 146 female employees confirmed that microaggressions towards women lead to destructive voice behavior. Furthermore, a video vignette-based study (Study 2) involving 102 female employees revalidated the role of microaggressions towards women in predicting destructive voice. The findings of the content analysis showed that participants in the high microaggressions towards women condition had 67.2% responses with elements of destructive voice behavior, compared with participants in the low microaggressions towards women condition, who had 8.5% responses with such indications of destructive voice. Additionally, the results of a two-wave time-lagged survey study (Study 3) conducted with 278 female employees across different industries provided empirical support for our hypothesized model. Specifically, microaggressions towards women significantly predicted destructive voice behavior directly as well as through the mediating mechanism of workplace embitterment. Furthermore, inclusive leadership significantly weakened the relationship between workplace embitterment and destructive voice behavior, thus confirming its buffering role in our research model.

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