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| bSmart Guide |
Identify Discrimination or Sexual Harassment at Work
- November 14, 2011
Discrimination at Work
Discrimination exists on some level at every job – some of it legal, some of it not. For instance, the law prohibits discrimination based on gender, pregnancy, and in some states sexuality, but does not prohibit discrimination based on morality, attractiveness or sexual activity. Treatment and opportunities for advancement cannot be based on race, color, national origin, gender, old age, disability or religion. If you believe you are the subject of this type of discrimination you should consult the human resources representative in your office with your concerns.
For other types of discrimination, those relegated to comments or actions that you find annoying and ignorant rather than unsafe and harassing, you have two options – 1) Address the ignorant comments and explain how they minimize your intelligence or contribution to the company or 2) Ignore the comments and find ways to rise above the person in role and compensation. A person’s view point might never change, but you might feel better having surpassed them in both compensation and accomplishments.
Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment is illegal and should not be tolerated – sexism, however, is legal and often goes unrecognized by the perpetrator. By sexism, I mean the treatment or mistreatment of a person based on their gender and nothing else. Sexists often do not realize they are sexist, and a person might not realize he or she is sexist unless you bring it to his/her attention. The truth is that sexism exists everywhere, but particularly so in the workplace. You will probably be treated from time to time based upon your boss's/colleague's/client's prior experience with women who have held roles similar to yours. It isn’t right – but it exists.
The key to dealing with sexism is to prepare for it. Analyze the roles other women in your company and industry have played and how they were perceived by those around them. If the women have been seen only as supporting cast members or not as hard working or unable to contribute to the company’s bottom line, then you will have to overcome those pre-disposed perspectives. Yes – it’s unfair that you might have to work harder or smarter to overcome someone else’s narrow mindedness –but you’re up for the challenge, right?
