The role of social norms and misperceptions on Muslim women’s work outcomes

The challenge

In Australia's diverse professional landscape, significant barriers stand between qualified Muslim women and their career aspirations. Despite organisational commitments to inclusion, these highly educated individuals find themselves balancing complex cultural expectations with workplace norms that fundamentally shape their career paths.

Our research reveals a striking insight: 63% of Muslim students express deep concerns about reconciling professional ambitions with family responsibilities and children's wellbeing, compared to just 38% of general professionals. This disparity reflects both traditional gender roles in childcare and misconceptions about Muslim community attitudes toward women in the workforce.

The impact extends beyond individual choices. These dynamics create a systemic challenge where talented Muslim women's career trajectories often fall short of their impressive qualifications. It exposes a fundamental disconnect between corporate diversity initiatives and the daily realities these professionals face, pointing to the need for more nuanced approaches to workplace inclusion.

Solution

UTS Business School researchers conducted a comprehensive study examining the interplay between social norms, perceptions, and workforce participation among Muslim women. Through a strategic partnership with the Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights (AMWCHR), researchers extensively surveyed three distinct groups: Australian Muslim university students, general Australian university students, and professionals from the general Australian working population.

The research involved detailed comparative analysis of attitudes toward working mothers and women's right to work, providing crucial insights into how perceptions shape career decisions. This systematic investigation focused on understanding both individual beliefs and community perceptions, documenting misperceptions, and identifying how these factors influence Muslim women's workforce participation.

Outcome and impact

The research revealed striking findings that challenge common assumptions: while 93% of Muslim Australian male uni students supported women's right to work, the broader professional community estimates this support at merely 54% - highlighting a significant perception gap.

These findings have led to important insights about how perceived workplace attitudes can influence career decisions, with Muslim women more likely to plan on working when they believe their community's values are correctly understood by others.

Further insights emerged around childcare perceptions. Muslim women were more likely to plan to work during their children's early years when they personally disagreed that children suffer with working mothers. Additionally, their likelihood of planning continued employment increased when they believed many other Muslim women shared this positive view of working mothers. These findings demonstrate how perceptions of community values directly influence individual career decisions.

This research contributes to building workplaces that better understand and support Muslim women's workforce participation. The long-term vision is to create family-friendly working environments where cultural considerations and childcare needs are addressed, and where misperceptions don't limit professional opportunities. Ultimately, this research represents a significant step toward ensuring equitable workforce participation and leveraging the full potential of Australia's diverse talent pool.