Abstract
Historically, the workplace has been designed around a disembodied ‘ideal worker’ norm (Acker, 1990). In this paper, we explore employee perceptions and experiences of women’s reproductive health issues (notably endometriosis, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and menopause) in the workplace, in the context of the UK National Health Service. We use bio-ecological systems theory to explore staff survey data in a case study organisation who were in the early stages of developing a ‘Well Women Strategy’, and identify numerous ‘absent narratives’ in policy, practice and workplace interactions – linked to taboo, intersectionality and temporality. Building on Acker’s (1990) seminal work, we argue that such absences help reinforce an ‘ideal ill worker’ norm – a specific set of circumstances where employee health and wellbeing needs are considered legitimate and thus tolerated and accommodated in the workplace. Workers whose experiences and needs do not conform are effectively silenced and left to manage their needs alone.