Problems for Women in the Workplace today

Wage gap:

-Women are paid 76.5 cents to every dollar men earn

-Women in the lower half of the workforce are earning the same money they did thirty years ago

-Working mothers get paid less than women who are not mothers

Leave policies:

-1993- Family and Medical Leave Act was passed so that U.S. employees could take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to take care of babies or family members. This however only applies to 60% of workers. 

-When time comes for a baby to be taken care of, usually the woman takes the leave

-Most workers cannot afford the unpaid leave even if they qualify for it

-The United States is in the minority not having guaranteed paid maternity and paternity leave or sick leave.

Work schedules:

-Work schedules have shifted to working 7-8am until 7-8pm

-Parents who work have to deal with finding daycare and also dealing with sick children who can’t go to daycare or days when daycare is closed

-The majority of people who take time off for children are women

-Flexible hours would make it so that women could keep their jobs

-Giving flexible hours would benefit companies because it is cheaper than finding a new employee.

Unwelcoming environments for women:

-Sports and military analogies are more unfamiliar to women

-Men tend to refer to things in sexual terms but women are less comfortable with this

The informal network

-Males in history have dominated the workplace and continue to be predominant today

-Women employees tend to get left out of traditions men have been having such as going out for drinks, going out to eat, or golfing

Mentoring relationships

-In companies, an older employee will generally mentor and assist a younger, newer employee.

-There are few women in senior positions meaning there are not enough women to mentor other new women. 

-Men can be reluctant to mentor women.

-This makes men get more assistance in the workplace than women

Glass ceilings and walls:

-Glass ceiling “an invisible barrier that limits the advancement of women and minorities.” (Wood, 242)

-Women’s progress is impeded by discrimination that inhibits their opportunities

-Stereotypes of women such as “women aren’t good at math” or “women are just mothers” prevent women from being given higher positions in jobs

-Women are also generally placed in jobs that give them traditional feminine roles such as being a secretary.

Wood, J. T. (2005). Gendered lives: Communication, gender and culture. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.

Author: Erin H.