Illegitimate tasks in blue-collar work: causes, coping, and consequences for organizations

Purpose This study explores how blue-collar workers experience illegitimate tasks (ILT) as a unique task-related stressor. Drawing on the theory of stress as offense to the self, it examines the antecedents, processes, and outcomes of ILT in blue-collar contexts. Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 blue-collar employees from the manufacturing sector. The qualitative data were analyzed based on first-order codes, second-order themes, and aggregate dimensions. Findings Thematic analysis reveals that ILT is widely experienced among participants. Unreasonable demands are particularly harmful to workers' sense of self-worth and belonging. Compliance with such tasks is influenced by socio-economic vulnerability, flawed job design, and adverse organizational conditions. Organizational injustice, group-level favoritism and social comparison, white-collar/blue-collar tensions, and gender-based disparities are some of the layers that contribute to the perception of injustice. Workers frequently use passive and indirect coping mechanisms in place of speaking out about their concerns. Moreover, ILTs are linked to both negative work outcomes (identity threat, burnout, diminished well-being) and relational consequences (work-family conflict, weakened leader-member exchange). Practical implications Organizations should strengthen voice mechanisms, clarify job roles with ethical standards, and conduct task audits to reduce ILTs, which will in turn promote employee well-being and workplace dignity. It is also advised to implement recognition programs and ethics-focused leadership training. Originality/value This is the first empirical study to examine ILT in blue-collar roles. In addition to connecting findings to relevant theories and managerial implications, it also proposes a thorough conceptual model for future research.