Supporting migrant women in hospitality: practical insights for emotionally sustainable workplaces

Purpose This article translates peer-reviewed research findings on the emotional labour of female migrant workers in Qatar's five-star hotel sector into practical, evidence-based recommendations for hospitality managers seeking to create emotionally sustainable workplaces. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on qualitative interview data from female migrant workers in a luxury hotel in Doha, Qatar, the article applies emotional labour theory (Hochschild, 1983) to examine the lived experiences of frontline hospitality staff. A real-world case study illustrates how practical interventions can address emotional strain. Findings The study reveals consistent patterns of emotional strain among migrant women, driven by cultural adaptation pressures, financial dependency, long working hours and insufficient managerial support. A framework for emotional sustainability in hospitality is proposed (see Figure 1), encompassing supervisor training in emotional awareness, safe spaces for emotional expression, recognition of emotional labour, flexible scheduling, peer support networks, culturally sensitive leadership and regular well-being assessments. Practical implications The article provides hospitality managers with seven actionable strategies to reduce emotional strain, improve retention and enhance service quality among migrant women in frontline roles. Social implications The findings highlight the often-invisible emotional burden borne by migrant women in global hospitality, advocating for organisational responsibility in supporting vulnerable workforce segments. Originality/value This article bridges the gap between academic research on emotional labour and practitioner needs by offering an evidence-based framework and real-world implementation case study specifically focused on female migrant workers in Gulf hospitality contexts.