Are Women Treated Fairly In The Workplace
Are women treated fairly in the workplace?
Gender equality is often a neglected topic when discussing management. Too this day, there is evidence of this type of inequality, despite it being a modern era where equal opportunity is expected. Sex stereotyping has shaped views on what jobs are suitable for that of women and men, which has consequently led to women having perhaps less opportunities than men, and has also led to potential harassment, of various kinds, due to their gender.
A shocking quote to demonstrate this inequality is: “A woman earns only 80 cents for every dollar a man earns.” (Hsu 2011) Despite the fact that “Women are performing better in school than men are, and women definitely have equal qualifications, if not higher.” (Hsu, 2011). Some employers may argue this lower pay for women to be fair, due to the fact that they are entitled to career breaks, including maternity or parental leave, however fathers are now entitled to parental and even maternity leave, so there is a clear injustice if women are paid less for equal jobs when they are equally educated.
Another issue to note is that there are perhaps less job opportunities for women. One study showed that “both sexes perceived that the characteristics required of a successful middle manager were viewed as more commonly held by men in general than women in general” (Mueller, 1992). Women are viewed as being more compassionate, understanding, and more sensitive to the needs of others; whereas men are seen as more assertive, decisive and ambitious. These qualities are viewed as important characteristics for higher levels of management. This therefore can result in fewer opportunities for women to be promoted, simply due to the assumption of employers, which is evident by the wage gender gap where female workers earn 21% less than male workers. (heraldscotland, 2012). A point to note is that despite women having stereotypical characteristics, they also have positive qualities which should give
Gender equality is often a neglected topic when discussing management. Too this day, there is evidence of this type of inequality, despite it being a modern era where equal opportunity is expected. Sex stereotyping has shaped views on what jobs are suitable for that of women and men, which has consequently led to women having perhaps less opportunities than men, and has also led to potential harassment, of various kinds, due to their gender.
A shocking quote to demonstrate this inequality is: “A woman earns only 80 cents for every dollar a man earns.” (Hsu 2011) Despite the fact that “Women are performing better in school than men are, and women definitely have equal qualifications, if not higher.” (Hsu, 2011). Some employers may argue this lower pay for women to be fair, due to the fact that they are entitled to career breaks, including maternity or parental leave, however fathers are now entitled to parental and even maternity leave, so there is a clear injustice if women are paid less for equal jobs when they are equally educated.
Another issue to note is that there are perhaps less job opportunities for women. One study showed that “both sexes perceived that the characteristics required of a successful middle manager were viewed as more commonly held by men in general than women in general” (Mueller, 1992). Women are viewed as being more compassionate, understanding, and more sensitive to the needs of others; whereas men are seen as more assertive, decisive and ambitious. These qualities are viewed as important characteristics for higher levels of management. This therefore can result in fewer opportunities for women to be promoted, simply due to the assumption of employers, which is evident by the wage gender gap where female workers earn 21% less than male workers. (heraldscotland, 2012). A point to note is that despite women having stereotypical characteristics, they also have positive qualities which should give