Gender Discrimination and Women
Gender discrimination against women in the workplace far exceeds traditional notions of unequal pay and glass ceilings limiting professional opportunities for women. Sadly, even today, many women have come to accept boorish and misogynistic workplace behaviors as reality. In fact, these behaviors are unlawful discriminatory practices. For example:
-Has a coworker or boss ever said you are too aggressive or should smile more?
-Has your boss ever suggested you change your clothing, hair or makeup style to represent a softer, prettier, more traditional notion of feminine values?
-Has your supervisor ever suggested or outright directed you dress in a less “distracting” fashion?
-Has anybody scoffed at you for needing time off to care for sick children or attend school functions?
-Are you afraid to tell your boss that you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant?
-Have supervisors ever denied you reasonable accommodations for pregnancy related medical restrictions?
-Are you excluded from traditionally male-only events such as business lunches or golf games?
-Do male coworkers disregard your professional opinion in meetings?
-Do male colleagues routinely talk over you or blatantly ignore you, regardless of your superior qualifications?
-Have you ever lost a promotion or a key opportunity to a less qualified male candidate?
Gender Discrimination and Men
Although mostly associated with the female discrimination, gender discrimination isn’t just for women. For example:
-Is your workplace predominately female?
-Does your supervisor favor female employees with special lunches, girls’ happy hours, or by taking deeper interest in their personal lives?
-Have you ever felt that favoritism toward women resulted in less opportunity for you to thrive or adverse changes to your employment conditions?
-Because you are male, do your colleagues expect you to forgo non-traditional male roles with your children, child care accommodations, or ill-family member accommodation?
LGBTQ Discrimination
Although not yet codified in law, courts are more frequently considering sexual orientation and gender identity issues as subject to gender discrimination protections. Examples currently under consideration in the courts include exclusionary bathroom policies for transgender employees, loss of professional opportunities based on sexual identity or orientation, and repeated degrading comments in the workplace.
If you believe you have suffered an adverse employment action or a hostile work environment due to your gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, contact us today for a free consultation!