Bricolage of identity to cope with crisis. Bank employees in times of turmoil

Abstract : Financial crisis has damaged the image of the banking sector. Bank employees are in the front line to cope with this crisis of reputation. This article is based upon an exploratory empirical research among bank employees. First, it reveals the difficult situations related to this crisis that employees live and how they impair their professional identity. Second, drawing upon the notion of bricolage, this paper unveils different forms of identity work that bank employees mobilize to restore a respected professional identity. However most of these bricolages of identity appear to be fragile and may have serious consequences for the management of the banking sector.