Understanding Women's Career‐Related Behaviors in the Context of Endometriosis: A Psychological Contract Breach Approach

ABSTRACT The stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation and reproductive health perpetuate a culture of silence and shame, limiting open discussions about endometriosis. Although existing research has examined its general impact on work, little attention has been paid to its influence on career‐related behaviors. It is therefore worthwhile to examine this issue, given that it is a chronic disease affecting approximately 10% (190 million) of reproductive‐age women worldwide (World Health Organization, 2025). For this study, the psychological contract breach is selected as a theoretical framework. This study aims to understand how perceived breaches in the psychological contract influence women's career‐related behaviors. The study will help to advance organizational inequalities by exposing hidden structural barriers. An interpretivist approach was used, involving 29 semi‐structured interviews with French employees, complemented by 41 online testimonies collected from an Anglo‐Saxon specialized website. The combination of primary and secondary data enables a triangulated analysis. Findings show that endometriosis symptoms can hinder women's ability to meet workplace expectations. To maintain performance and to fit to the ideal worker norm, some engage in presenteeism or rely heavily on medication, whereas others reduce their responsibilities. When disclosing their condition, many face misunderstanding or stigmatization from managers and colleagues. Consequently, they may modify their career‐related behaviors by reducing working hours, declining permanent positions, or abandoning desired roles. Even in organizations promoting inclusion, some women experience career plateau, as employers fail to account for the evolving nature of the illness. However, examples of endometriosis‐friendly companies highlight the crucial role played by managers. Overall, the findings emphasize the need to adapt the psychological contract to foster greater gender equality in the workplace.