Imposter Syndrome and Gender Stereotypes: Female Facility Managers’ Work Outcomes and Job Situations

Abstract

It is important to ensure that female facility managers (FMs) have a good experience at their workplace and are able to achieve positive work outcomes. However, women may face issues such as gender stereotypes and the imposter syndrome at the workplace. This research aims to investigate the situational job factors that female FMs face, using male FMs as a comparative group. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 34 female and 35 male FMs managing the common property of public housing flats in Singapore. The results indicate that gender stereotypes and other gender issues may exist. Pearson’s correlation analyses reveal that female FMs’ work outcomes may be boosted through several means such as strengthening their job knowledge, ensuring their companies pay more attention to their welfare, and providing them with a healthy and comfortable working environment. This study adds to the knowledge of gender issues in the field of facility management. The contribution to the body of knowledge is that gender issues do exist in female FMs’ jobs, and recommendations for improvements are provided.