Workplace gender discrimination remains one of the most significant challenges faced by women in their professional lives. Although equality is a fundamental principle in academia, particularly in the production of knowledge and education, women academics continue to encounter issues such as the glass ceiling syndrome, barriers to promotion, wage inequality, and underrepresentation in academic decision-making processes. Therefore, measuring the perception of workplace gender discrimination among academics is of great importance in understanding the extent of existing problems and in developing policies and practices to address them.

Women academics’ perceptions of gender discrimination directly affect their professional motivation, academic achievements, and career development. If a female academic perceives that she is subjected to discrimination in the workplace, this perception may reduce her academic productivity and weaken her sense of institutional belonging. Furthermore, the perception of gender-based discrimination can negatively impact women academics’ willingness to apply for leadership roles and their motivation to advance in the academic field. Hence, the scientific measurement of this perception is a crucial step for academic institutions to develop more just and equitable policies.

Moreover, assessing the perception of gender discrimination among women in academia can help institutions evaluate and improve their gender equality policies. The results of such assessments can identify which faculties or academic ranks experience higher levels of gender discrimination, enabling the development of targeted solutions. For instance, mentorship programs that provide greater support to women academics, gender awareness training, and reforms that reduce gender-based inequalities in academic career processes can be developed based on such assessments.

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of workplace gender discrimination perceptions on job performance among women academics. The study analyzed 225 female academics working in different faculties at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were conducted to identify the relationships between variables. The robust Newey-West estimator was applied to meet the assumptions of regression analysis. The results indicated that the dimension score values followed a normal distribution as p>0.05. According to the Pearson correlation analysis, the perception of workplace gender discrimination among women was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with job performance (r=-48.5%). The regression analysis further revealed that workplace gender discrimination perception negatively affected job performance (β=-0.501, p<0.01).

In conclusion, measuring the perception of gender discrimination among women academics is crucial in raising awareness of gender equality within academia. Scientific research and survey studies conducted in academic settings help make this issue more visible and contribute to the development of societal awareness. As a result, stronger policies against gender discrimination can be formulated not only in academic institutions but also in the broader professional sphere. Measuring the perception of workplace gender discrimination among academics is a vital step toward achieving academic equality, improving working conditions, and fostering a more inclusive academic environment.

Keywords: Workplace Gender Discrimination, Job Performance, Academics, Statistical Analysis.