While previous literature has mostly considered occupational stigma to be “sticky”, recent findings indicate that it may sometimes be deflected. However, it is not yet known in what situations and conditions stigma deflection is possible or likely. In this conceptual paper, I argue that the likelihood of occupational stigma deflection is influenced by: 1) The type of occupational taint; 2) Individuals’ membership in marginalized groups and 3) The magnitude of the perceived status gap between previous and current occupation. This work expands our understanding of stigma transfer and of newcomers to dirty work occupations. It also contributes to practice by suggesting ways in which newcomers to dirty work may act strategically in order to deflect the stigma of their occupations.
