Strategies in the face of ableism: how disabled employees craft social resources at work

Social resources in the workplace are crucial in promoting inclusion and improving the work experience for disabled employees. However, ableist structures create barriers that prevent access to these resources, requiring additional efforts from disabled employees to manage social interactions. This study explores how disabled employees craft their social resources at work in the face of social barriers. Qualitative data from 27 interviews with employees with physical, psychological and sensory impairments or learning difficulties were analysed. Two strategic approaches to social resource crafting emerged: (1) Claiming and transforming social resources, and (2) Adapting to social resources. These approaches reflect different methods of social resource crafting based on individual needs and social barriers, which can lead to varying impacts on employees’ well-being and productivity. By recognising ableist structures and minimising social barriers, disabled employees can be supported in social resource crafting, which helps combat inequalities in the workplace.