Working in hospitality: the intersectional inequalities of race, gender, and immigrant status in the City of Toronto

Abstract

The tourism and hospitality industry has created employment opportunities across the globe, particularly for women. However, while many women – especially women from visible minority groups – are employed in the industry, the industry is predominately managed by men. In other words, there is a disproportionate number of men to women in managerial positions, and among women who are in managerial positions, visible minority women/women of color are very few. There is little research on why or how so few women of color are found in managerial positions in the industry. To address this gap, this research explored the intersectional impact of race, gender, and immigration status on employment in the hospitality industry in Toronto, Canada. More specifically, the feminization of tourism labour and the presence of a ‘glass ceiling’ effect (i.e., vertical segregation) were explored. A qualitative research methodology was adopted to bring to light the experiences of five immigrant women of color in frontline positions and four immigrant women of color in managerial positions in the industry. The research aimed to 1) Determine whether vertical segregation (across lines of gender, race and immigration status) is occurring in the hospitality industry in Toronto Canada and to what extent; 2) Explore the root causes of vertical segregation in the accommodation sector in Toronto, Canada, and how it is occurring; and 3) Explore the intersectionality of race, immigration status and gender inequalities as it relates to hospitality employment. Guided by a feminist epistemology and informed by both Acker’s framework of four gendered processes in an organization and intersectionality theory, thematic/narrative analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted. The research results serve to inspire policy change within organizations in the industry to create an inclusive and fair environment for all hospitality employees.