In a workplace where the majority of employees are male and engage in physical labor, a new female employee expresses her desire to participate in the same tasks as her male colleagues. However, she notices that her peers question her capabilities based on her gender. How does the concept of gender performance inform her experience and the reactions of her colleagues?

Gender performance refers to how society expects individuals to behave based on their gender. In this workplace, the male employees may believe that physical labor is a "male" activity, leading them to question the new female employee's ability simply because she is a woman. This reflects the societal idea that certain skills or roles are tied to gender, which can create barriers for those who do not fit these stereotypes. For example, if the female employee demonstrates her strength and skills in physical tasks, it challenges the preconceived notions of her colleagues and shows that gender does not determine capability. Ultimately, her experience highlights the importance of recognizing and overcoming these gender biases to create a more inclusive environment.