Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

John Schmidt

Abstract

Women account for over half of restaurant and food service employees in the United States. The hours required to manage obligation to both jobs and families impact work–life balance among this population, which can lead to burnout behaviors such as complaints, turnover, and absenteeism. Guided by both self-efficacy and role conflict theories, a phenomenological study was conducted to understand work–life balance, engagement, and job satisfaction among working mothers in the restaurant and food service industry. Working mothers with children between ages 5 months and 17 years, who were employed full-time at casual restaurants and similar food service organizations, were interviewed virtually via Zoom and Google Meets. Collected data were analyzed following a modified van Kaam approach, and the analysis identified four themes: (a) high commitment, (b) setting boundaries, (c) making sacrifices, and (d) flexibility. The findings reveal participants enjoyed their jobs and had a high sense of commitment. Participants also stated that to meet both family and work obligations they needed to create boundaries or continue to sacrifice family life. All participants reported a desire for a flexible work schedule. The findings in this study have potential implications for positive social change for these employees and the organizations that employ them. Restaurant and food service industry employers can implement policies and programs like flexible and fair scheduling and emergency childcare resources to create an inclusive environment where working mothers can succeed and thrive. Such efforts can reduce the turnover in this industry and increase engagement and profitability benefiting employees and employers.

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