I felt an unspoken pressure to smile - Kenyan women in the workplace
Byline
Introduction
Kenyan women face unrealistic expectations to smile in the workplace, impacting their professional relationships and perceptions. In a new study, researchers found that women who smiled frequently were considered more trustworthy and competent, while women who smiled less were deemed less trustworthy, regardless of their personality or credentials.
Study findings
The study, which surveyed 517 working women in Kenya, revealed that more than half of the participants (52%) felt an unspoken pressure to smile at work, while nearly a third (31%) felt that smiling had helped them succeed in their career. Despite this, over 40% of respondents felt that smiling had a negative impact on their career, with many feeling that it hindered their ability to be taken seriously or promoted.
Impacts on women
The pressure to smile has detrimental effects on Kenyan women in the workplace. Subjects of the study commented that feeling they had to smile frequently left them feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and performing less successfully at work. Some noted that the pressure to smile has discouraged them from pursuing promotions or more senior positions within their organization.
Addressing the issue
The study's authors suggest that organizations work to better educate employees and supervisors on the subtle implications of gender stereotypes in the workplace. Some implications for employers include:
- Promoting a fair and inclusive work culture
- Education and training on gender stereotypes and their impacts
- Promotion of impartial performance evaluation methods
- Celebrating a diverse workforce
