Gender Discrimination in the workplace
Source: http://www.pewresearch.org
In the workplace, over 40% of women feel like, at some point, they have experienced gender discrimination. However, a study by CMI (Chartered Management Institute) found that a whopping four out of five people in the workplace would say they’ve witnessed gender discrimination.
This is alarming, considering people admit to knowing what’s happening but are unwilling to expose it. Like other issues within the country, the only way change is possible is by first telling it and bringing it to light. From there, you can attack it head-on.
In an interview with Lizette Gregg, she explained how she once experienced gender discrimination in her workplace…
I was working at Hollister and only the guys were allowed to wear the swimwear but the females weren’t. Obviously, that kinda pissed the girls off because the guys were allowed to walk around without shirts on but girls couldn’t wear their tops to their bikinis. Me personally I wouldn’t have worn mine anyways but for the other females, this was a bigger issue and rightfully, they were upset and complained to the higher up about it. Eventually changes were implemented and eventually both genders were allowed to wear the swimwear, with men having to wear shirts and women had to have a coverup over their tops. Also, they had issues with refusing to make plans sizes for women but had them for men.
This was a prime example of what could happen once people stand up against gender discrimination. However, as Beverly Knight stated in her interview, “…it wasn’t like how it is now where you can sue.” it makes you wonder just how bad it was in the ’80s. Of course, nothing is promised, but fighting for gender equality is a must, especially in the workplace.