Gender and Sex Discrimination in the Workplace

Gender and Sex Discrimination in the Workplace Gender and Sex Discrimination in the Workplace Gender discrimination, sometimes referred to as sex-based discrimination or sexual discrimination,  is the unequal treatment of someone based on that persons sex. A civil rights violation, its illegal in the workplace when it affects the terms or conditions of a persons employment. It is addressed by federal law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as well as other legislation. States also have their own laws making sex or gender discrimination illegal. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment falls under the umbrella of gender discrimination. According to company policy, a woman may be entitled to the same perks, advancements, pay and other benefits as her male counterpart, but behavior toward her in the workplace may be untenable and its usually related to her gender. I am sure youre familiar with the 2017 #MeToo movement birthed by sexual harassment claims made against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein when actress Ashley Judd shared her story with major news outlets. Years earlier, Weinstein threatened Judd if she didnt agree to a sexual act. Hollywoods examples are extreme, but this would be the case if Judd were subjected to unwelcome touching or even offensive jokes aimed at her sex or sexual identity. And while a single joke may seem appropriate (to some), repeated jokes on a daily or frequent basis constitute harassment. Harassment can also involve promises of advancement in exchange for sexual favors. Not Just Men The womans harasser does not necessarily have to be a male. And the victim doesnt always have to be a woman - men can also be the target. Women can be just as guilty of sexual harassment. Similarly, the harasser does not necessarily have to be the womans boss or supervisor. Its still harassment if a coworker or client is the source of the behavior and the companys management does nothing to put a stop to it. What Constitutes Discrimination The proverbial glass ceiling is a classic example  of workplace gender discrimination. This is the unwritten code that women cannot hold certain senior positions and are prevented from advancing beyond a certain point because of gender despite their skills, talents, and qualifications. Promotional Bias The glass ceiling situation falls under the category of promotional bias. There are various reasons for this - having children being the main one. The glass ceiling  movement, birthed in the late 1900s, was supposed to shatter the barrier (i.e., ceiling) that prevented women from moving up the corporate ladder.  And, although women have come a long way, theyre not there yet.   In 1990, there were six women on the Fortune 500 list of CEOs. In 2017, there were 32 women. Thats more women, but not enough - considering were talking about 500 CEOs.   But sexual discrimination goes further than CEOship. A man and woman may hold the exact same position and perform the same duties within a company, but the job title is different. The man may also be paid more, or he may be entitled to raises or promotions on a different schedule, and at a faster pace than his female colleagues. Interview Questions The interview process should be similar (if not the same) for both genders. But women are frequently expected to field different types of questions. Women are often asked if they have children or if they intend to have children. These types of questions are illegal, and more importantly, have no bearing on a person’s ability to do a job well. However, many employers predicate hiring potential employees on the notion that they might need to take maternity leave.  Employers need to consider that fathers (whether straight or gay) may need to take paternity leave. Neither gender should be asked the  question. Terminations All too often, terminations are handled with gender bias. It can be especially prevalent in male-dominated industries (such as manufacturing) where sexual harassment is not taken seriously. There are cases of women who have complained about gender bias and found themselves unemployed. A female engineer at luxury car manufacturer Tesla, AJ Vandermeyden, accused the manufacturer of ignoring her complaints of sexual harassment and paying her less than her male counterparts. Then, she was fired in what her lawyer alleged was an act of retaliation. Vandermeyden, who went public, also claimed she was taunted and catcalled by male employees and that Tesla failed to address her complaints about the harassment, unequal pay and discrimination. But this is just one example, and there are many more people who experience sexual harassment out there. Most people arent as brave as Vandermeyden was to speak up for fear of a blemished work record and/or a bad reputation in their industry. How to Report Discrimination If you or someone you know is a victim of gender discrimination in the workplace (male, female, bi or trans), write it down. Make sure you document what happened, who was involved, the date and time of the incident, and anyone who may be a witness. And be sure to ask them to also make notes on what happened. Next, youll need to report it. There is usually a chain you need to follow. First, speak to your supervisor to address the problem. If your supervisor is the cause of your complaint, go to that persons boss. If you feel the problem is not dealt with to your satisfaction, go to your companys human resources department. If the situation persists, you can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  and file a charge of discrimination - a first step before you resort to suing your employer. But, before you sue, meet with an attorney to determine what the requirements are where you work. You may have as little as six months to file a charge and the EEOC typically must investigate your complaint first before youre permitted to take other civil action.   The Bottom Line Gender or sex-based discrimination is against the law. The target doesnt have to be a woman, just like the harasser isnt always a male. There is no place for it in anyones place of employment. If you or someone you know experiences it, be sure there is proper documentation and that the incident is reported. Remember, no one should ever have to experience gender or sex-based discrimination.