How French Muslim hijabis deal with the internal identity asymmetry and religious expression at work

Abstract

Muslim women who wear the hijab (hijabis) frequently find the expression of their religious identity to be the subject of heated debate. In the workplace, that expression can lead to negative outcomes (Gebert et al., 2014). The literature shows that individuals have a need to be recognised for who they really are and to validate their need for authenticity (Swann, Johnson, & Bosson, 2009; Ménard and Brunet, 2012). Our research is based on qualitative interviews carried out with 35 hijabis. The object of our study is three-fold. First of all, we explore the causes of internal identity asymmetry experienced by hijabis. Next, we carry out a multi-level analysis of the moderators acting on the sense of misidentification (intra-personal level, inter-personal level and professional level). Lastly, we show how, despite the stereotypes depicting them as lacking in agency, hijabis navigate asymmetry at work through the deployment of response strategies. Our study shows that the moderators identified have a significant impact on the sense of misidentification: some reduce it while others increase it. Finally, our research provides a better understanding of the dynamics of identity negotiation at work.