Women in the Workplace - Essay Example

Women in the Workplace It is an accepted fact that in the race for corporate dominance, the women are forging ahead of men. Earlier, women in the workplace were docile and submissive, nourishing the male ego, but the attitude has changed considerably, and, nowadays, women consider themselves at par with their male colleagues. It is widely believed that women utilize their beauty and physical assets for their advantage in the workplace, but then, although this may be partially true, the mistake lies with men, who allow themselves to be so exploited. If men were not enamored by the charms of women, then, the question of any advantage does not arise. Often women have to assume dual personalities in order to get ahead – one for the office and the other for the home. At the office, she has to be assertive and in clear command, to a certain extent, also shrewd and manipulative, to get what she wants, but at the home, she has to be demure, obedient and dutiful, subservient to the wishes of others. The different roles assigned to women to support themselves and their families have enhanced their potential and also made them stronger and determined individuals, coping to succeed in a male dominated world. And their ability to finish projects on time have made women make.” (Gomez, Armando). The reasons why women make more progress than men is because they have the right attitude to work and interpersonal relationships and would rather avoid arguments and heated discussion, rather than try to win them. Besides, they take their jobs more seriously then men and excel in producing quality work within targeted time and lower budgets. Unlike men, they do not nurse bruised egos and are generally well-informed about relevant matters concerning the corporate matters while striving for excellence in chosen assignments. There are distinctive personality traits between men and women which need to be understood in its correct perspective. Although women may deny gender discrimination and sexual harassment, the fact that this is a reality cannot be denied.” Violence against women can occur on the job. Employers need to be concerned about their responsibility to maintain safe work sites.” (Strategic Employer Responses to Domestic Violence. A Crucial Human Resource Challenge). In a survey conducted in US, 50 % of the women in the age group of 35-49 admitted that they were the subject of gender discrimination and 40 % admitted to have faced sexual harassment at their work place. (Gomez, Armando). It is felt that discrimination exists among the high-income and highly ranked professional classes whereas the blue-collared women faces sexual harassment. In India the NCW has enacted a Bill seeking to curb the sexual harassment of women in the workplace and the Amendment of this bill termed the Sexual Harassment of Women at their Work Place 2003 has been enacted. In a landmark Vaishaka Vs. High Court of Rajasthan ruling, the Court has recognized sexual harassment as a human rights violation “Sexual harassment at the workplace, underscoring powerlessness of women, is a manifestation of the insidious operation of patriarchal power that (en) codes women in dominant, social stereotypes.” (Sex, lies and malice at the Work Place). Although the main cause for women going for work may be for financial rewards and to supplement the family income, nowadays a lot of women go for work for personal satisfaction and to fulfill their ambitions. Although the monetary factor is also present, the predominant factors are for satisfaction and to seek productive outlets for their latent energies and talents so as to be truly happy and contented with one’s state of being. In a male dominated world, the women have to struggle hard to promote herself and she has to face opposition even from members of her own sex. Since the stereotype image of a women is a house maker and mother, it becomes difficult for her to gain acceptance as a boss, or even as a colleague. As rightly observed by the famous African American poet warrior, Andre Lorde “certainly there are very real differences between us of race, age, and sex. But it is not those differences between us that are separating us. It is rather our refusal to recognize those differences and to examine the distortions which result from our misnaming them and their effects upon human behavior and expectation.” (Audre Lorde: Reflections. 2000). Some jobs are better suited to men than to women. Men make better religious leaders and police officer because of certain innate reasons. But people agree that there is discrimination regarding salaries paid to men and women. 70 % of the American men received higher salaries than women, and a large section of people truly believe that when it comes to salaries, women are discriminated against, by corporates. Through out the post war period 1971-2004, “the female employment rate in UK rose from 42% to 70%.” (Women and Work Commission). However, there are still persisting differences in the men’s and women’s experiences in the job market. Also there are differences in the occupations performed by men and women. Women are more likely to be absorbed in administrative service and sales occupation and are less likely to be working in specialized occupations like plant drivers, managers etc. Of the1.3 Million new jobs to be generated in the next ten years, over 1 Million is to be taken up by women. This is because there are going to be favorable conditions for women’s jobs. If the present trend of employment generation continues, women would be benefited due to the increase ‘caring jobs,’ specifically in the hospitality and service industries. Since women are working in jobs which do not fully utilize their potential and abilities, the economy also is operating below par. This has a detrimental effect on the rate of growth in the economy. More so, at a time when the economy is passing through a difficult phase. The principle reasons in difference in pay structure between men and women are regarding their educational background and job skills. The discrimination towards women may be due to the fact that they may be part time workers and therefore, may not take up training and promotional activities and this leads to difference in the level of skill between men and women and their promotional avenues. Women who work part time earn substantially less than women who work full time. “Women have faced many inequalities-mainly lower wages since they entered the work force.” (Delaney, Joan. 2006). The reasons for this may be level of education and skill sets. Women working part time may also be working in menial occupations, thus earning lower pay packets. Women are able to exercise greater choice regarding their type of education; working conditions and when to have a family, the decision taken by the women regarding their career will have an influence on their earning capacity. “Young women enjoy having their own income and are choosing to fulfill their career ambitions instead of or before they consider having a family.” (Women on Top - Have the Tables Turned). The issue of whether pay differences is the result of the choice exercised by the women to balance her home life with her career and how it acts as an impediment to an increase in their pay scale. Since the women’s potential is not fully tapped, it affects the productivity of the country’s economy also. Gender differential ties and lesser career growth prospects for women are a part and parcel of the society. Today, although some women may be very successful in their career, others may find difficulties since they can work only limited hours with limited training opportunities. “women are increasingly playing a significant role in the EU economy, but still face considerable barriers to opportunity.” (Advancing Women in the Workplace). Regarding the question of ethnic minorities and to poor infrastructure and lower living conditions, this may create barrier for their future growth. Women’s choices are being restrained and therefore they should get a better deal at the workplace. “many women still work in unfair environments that make it difficult for them to succeed.” (Advancing Women in the Workplace). The UK Government has introduced certain policies measures in order to ensure that women strike the right balance between work and home. This includes extending the period of paid and unpaid maternity leave and giving paid leave for the fathers and carers and allowing for flexible time of work to the parents of small children as well as increasing child care. Although women are doing well in academic studies they do not pursue the occupation, hitherto regarding as male bastions. Most women still dominate menial jobs and this results in occupational differentiation which plays a significant role in their pay scales. The Government is committed to introduce gender equality in the truest sense of the term and bring about equality between men and women rather than only take steps to avoid discriminations. It is very necessary that experiments are conducted to gain first hand knowledge and information regarding the plight of women in different organizations and ways and means to solve the problem. The Equal Pay Act and Sex Discrimination Act in 1970s were important developments in the cracking down of obstacles to enable women to engage themselves in productive labor work but their wages are very low and there is significant gaps between the earnings of men and women. It is necessary that steps should be taken to bring about equal pay laws and to make compulsory reviews for equal pay between men and women. The gender equality pay would go a long way in optimizing the skill sets and training of all potential workers, whether men and women, and also to remove the impediments for the women’s increased participation in labor markets. “The choices open to men and women are crucially influenced by recruitment and selection processes and these are not always gender-neutral.” (Open. Ad hoc Discussions That Cover General Topics). The aims of the Commission would also be targeted to look into how differences in education between men and women foster occupational differences regarding pay scales. And also the factors governing entry level work undertaken by women, leads to gender differentiation at the work place. Full time and part time workings and the promotional aspects and also instances of gender discrimination in the work place also the experiences felt by women before and after giving birth to children need to be assessed. Since the public sector undertakings employ women on a larger scale, its functioning regarding gender discrimination invites a greater analysis and detailed study. Works Cited Gomez, Armando. Women In The Workplace. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.askmen.com/money/career/16_career.html Sex, lies and malice at the Work Place. Assureconsulting.com: Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.assureconsulting.com/workplace/workplace.shtml Audre Lorde: Reflections. 2000. Feminist Review No. 45, Thinking through Ethnicities (Autumn 1993). Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0141-7789(199323)45%3C4%3AALR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-T Strategic Employer Responses to Domestic Violence. A Crucial Human Resource Challenge. Family Violence Prevention Fund. (2007). Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.endabuse.org/workplace/display.php?DocID=33002 Women and Work Commission. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/women_work_commission/fairdealforwomen_interim_statement.pdf Delaney, Joan. 2006. Women in the Workplace. Is Inequality a Thing of the Past? The Epoch Times. Epoch Times International. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-10-20/47236.html Women on Top - Have the Tables Turned. Jobsite. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.jobsite.co.uk/career/advice/women_at_work.html Advancing Women in the Workplace. Women and Equality Unit. (2004). Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/women_work/advancingwomen.htm Workplace Discrimination. National Partnership for Women and Families. (2007). Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.nationalpartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ourwork_wpd_WorkplaceDiscrimination Open. Ad hoc Discussions That Cover General Topics. esrc/society today. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/forums/Default.aspx Read More