Gender inequality has been a workplace topic of discussion for political groups and activists alike for many years. There is plenty of data to support gender inequality when it comes to information that can be gathered numerically, such as pay. But there are other parts to gender inequality in the workplace that create broader and more disturbing picture.
Moving Into Management
Career movement is a big part of gender inequality and prevents women from being able to move into management positions that they are qualified to occupy. This form of gender inequality becomes more evident when a man is chosen for a managerial position over a woman who is obviously more qualified to do the job.
Wage Inequality
The most contentious part of gender inequality in the workplace is wage inequality. Despite changes to federal employment laws, women still make less money than men for similar jobs. The inequality is most prominent at the executive level where it has been found that some women executives make half as much as their male counterparts in the same industry, and in some cases, in the same company.
Sexual Assault in the Workplace
Another part of gender in equality that has gained a great deal of attention in recent years is sexual assault in the workplace. There has been a defined pattern of companies siding with accused males over accusing females when it comes to sexual assault events. Women who report sexual assault in the workplace run the risk of being ignored or, even worse, losing their jobs.
General Loss of Opportunity
Gender inequality in the workplace has conspired to create a general loss of financial and career opportunities for women. Equal rights laws have been put into effect to discourage gender inequality in the workplace, but many employers still find ways to get around the laws that are put in place. As long as gender inequality exists, it will be difficult for women to take advantage of all of the opportunities available in the workplace.
Gender inequality is an issue many companies prefer not to talk about, but it is a reality in the corporate world. Talented women who put in the same amount of effort, or more, as their male counterparts find themselves underpaid or locked out of opportunities completely. The laws that are in place attempt to level the playing field, but it takes a complete shift in corporate culture to create real opportunity for everyone.
Jim Treebold is a North Carolina based writer. He lives by the mantra of “Learn 1 new thing each day”! Jim loves to write, read, pedal around on his electric bike and dream of big things. Drop him a line if you like his writing, he loves hearing from his readers!