We Shall Overcome: Advocating for Social and Ethical Issues at Work Despite its Challenges

This symposium is focused on individuals who advocate for ethical and social issues in the workplace. There is evidence that speaking up about such issues can be risky and lead to negative personal and professional consequences for those who do so. The papers in this symposium will explore various factors that might discourage individuals from speaking up, as well as the factors that drive them to advocate for ethical and social issues despite these risks. This symposium will examine these issues in different contexts, such as diversity and inclusion, organizational norm violations, and broader institutional change, and will use a range of methodological approaches, including qualitative and quantitative research, field studies, and experiments. The goal of this symposium is to understand the psychological processes that motivate individuals to advocate for ethical and social issues at work, and to provide practical recommendations for individuals who wish to sustain their efforts to make a positive impact in society. Fail and Try Again? The Role of Ethical Issue Framing for Overcoming Managerial Rejection Author: Madeline Ong; Texas A&M U. Author: Clara Wen Lin Soo; Broad College of Business, Michigan State Author: Chak Fu Lam; City U. of Hong Kong Perceptions of EDI Leaders in Organizations Author: Christy Zhou Koval; Eli Broad School of Business, Michigan State U. Author: Heather Wong; Schulich School of Business, York U. Author: D. Lance Ferris; Eli Broad School of Business, Michigan State U. Author: Ivona Hideg; Schulich School of Business, York U. Why Aren't They Speaking Up? Understanding Why Employees Remain Silent About Peer Norm Violations Author: Sijun Kim; Texas A&M U., Mays Business School Author: Elizabeth McClean; Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Author: Sarah Doyle; U. of Arizona Author: Nathan Philip Podsakoff; U. of Arizona Why Do Employees Advocate? Unpacking Advocacy Motives and Hope that Inspires Systemic Change Author: Daniel Newton; U. of Iowa Author: Beth Schinoff; Boston College Author: Hudson Sessions; Southern Methodist U.