Gender equality, especially in the workplace, is becoming a hot issue in the modern world and especially in professions that are male-dominated such as engineering, medicine, and technology. Although it’s easy to overlook these gender biases in the workplace, they can degenerate into something different with numerous lawsuits. The three common forms of gender discrimination in the workplaces include:
- Unequal pay
- Positional Bias
- Unfair job termination
Unequal Pay
This is perhaps the most common type of gender discrimination happening in the modern workplaces. Although it is an obvious issue, it is difficult to solve it since the problem of unequal pay even exists in the government itself. In most cases, the issue of unequal pay has triggered emotional political debates. At least 90 percent of employers in male-dominated fields base their pay on gender other than performance and experience.
Positional Bias
Have you ever asked yourself why certain positions are perceived to be for women only? For instance, what makes the post of a receptionist a preserve for women only? Why shouldn’t men occupy such positions? Or why shouldn’t women take up the high ranks in the Navy Seals? Such unwarranted perceptions are common in all areas of employment. Hiring should be based on who you believe can perform best based on their experience and skills, not on gender stereotypes.
Unfair Job Terminations
Women have also found themselves on the receiving end of unfair terminations. Some are fired whenever they request to be treated equally in the workplace. For instance, a female employee who is asking for equal pay as their male counterpart might be perceived as arrogant while a male employee is considered strong.
If you are experiencing a form of gender discrimination in the workplace, a consultation with an employment law attorney can help you determine your legal options.