Managing Leaky Bodies in the Workplace – a Forgotten Form of Dirty Work?

This paper focuses on the workplace as a significant site of convergence between the sociology of work, medical sociology and disability studies. The paper extends the current academic interpretation of those in ‘dirty work’ to include people, who within their working life are required to complete tasks that can be considered unpleasant, disgusting or humiliating, in the management of their own unruly bodies. Though their professions do not appear to be ‘dirty jobs’, these employees have no choice but to mask and manage their symptoms and substances, which in any other role, performed on another person would be considered dirty work.

We draw on interview data with employees who experience bowel or bladder incontinence and/or problematic menstruation – what we have termed ‘leaky’ bodies. Data are from three studies conducted between 2019 and 2024 with over 110 participants. These studies had separate, but linked foci: 1) the inaccessibility of workplaces, 2) managing health conditions at work and 3) supporting disabled people at work. Drawing on work exploring dirty work, body work and the ideal worker we present data that show how employees with leaky bodies attempt to reduce or neutralise workplace stigmatisation, in contexts that continually threaten exposure and resultingly, shame and humiliation.

This paper highlights the critical intersection of disability, work, and the often-overlooked experiences of those navigating the complexities of managing 'leaky' bodies in the workplace. By shedding light on the marginalisation of disabled workers and the pervasive stigma surrounding bodily functions deemed inappropriate at work, we underscore the urgent need for more inclusive workplace policies and practices. The insights gained from our research not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with ‘leaky’ bodies, but also call for a re-examination of what constitutes ‘dirty work’ in the context of contemporary employment.