Despite federal laws protecting employees, gender discrimination is a serious issue. A person’s perceived gender can greatly affect their job opportunities and increase workplace discrimination.
Gender discrimination is not always obvious, and it helps to have examples to understand how employees are affected. Here is how:
1. You are placed in a gender-specific role
For a long time, many businesses believed that certain roles were exclusive to certain genders. While this is an antiquated view, it is still strongly held by many businesses. For example, women may be placed in secretarial roles more often than men. These roles are often assigned by the assumption of a person’s ability, behaviors or ambitions based on their gender. People may face scrutiny if they are placed in a role that is perceived to be for the opposite gender, such as if a man goes into a secretarial role.
2. Your voice does not matter
People who have biased gender views may not view certain people with the same respect as others. For instance, women may struggle to have their voices and opinions heard because of other people’s views of their gender.
3. You receive a lower salary
A large issue for people, especially women, is receiving the same salary as others. Women have historically received less pay than men. This can happen regardless of whether women are doing the same or more work in an equal or higher-positioned job than men.
4. You do not receive promotions
Many minority groups struggle to bypass the “glass ceiling.” A glass ceiling is a barrier that limits people’s ability to advance to a higher position in a business. Men may be more likely to receive promotions and bonuses at their jobs despite a female worker’s higher qualifications.
Legal guidance can help employees address gender discrimination at their workplace.