The effect of the glass ceiling problem faced by female chefs working in the field of gastronomy on work motivation

This study examines the glass ceiling barriers faced by female chefs in the gastronomy sector and the impact of these barriers on their professional motivation. Although the gastronomy sector is known for its innovation and creativity, traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained in this field. Female chefs encounter invisible barriers, known as the glass ceiling, at certain points in their careers, which hinder their progress and make it difficult for them to attain senior management positions. These obstacles prevent women from fully showcasing their professional talents and result in their exclusion from leadership roles. Interviews revealed that female employees face numerous challenges in their professional lives. They reported experiencing mobbing and noted that their gender has been a hindering factor throughout their careers. Additionally, it was highlighted that their salaries are kept lower compared to their male counterparts, and they are often overlooked during promotion processes. While women have faced verbal harassment at work, they stated that they have not encountered sexual harassment. These challenges diminish job satisfaction and motivation among female employees. The research utilized an inductive semi-structured interview technique developed by the researcher as the data collection tool. Initially, the collected data was transferred to a computer and analyzed using the MAXQDA2020 qualitative data analysis software. In the second stage, the analyzed data was categorized into themes and sub-themes. Interviews were conducted with female kitchen chefs from different regions of Turkey who hold various titles. The planned maximum of 35 participants was reduced to 28 voluntary participants due to repetitive responses. In conclusion, this study aims to highlight gender inequality in the sector by deeply examining the impact of glass ceiling issues faced by female chefs on their work motivation and to provide suggestions for overcoming these barriers. The findings offer significant insights for understanding the career development challenges faced by female chefs and for future studies on how to overcome these obstacles. Keywords: Glass Ceiling Syndrome, Work Motivation, Gastronomy, Female Kitchen Workers.