Gender-based Discrimination in The Workplace: Consequences and Solutions

For decades, women have fought for equal rights and treatment in various spheres, including employment. Sadly, despite the progress made towards attaining gender equality, workplace discrimination still persists. Gender-based discrimination refers to unfavorable treatment or assumptions based on gender, sex, or gender identity, and it exists in various forms, such as unequal pay, lack of promotional opportunities, and sexual harassment. This essay will explore the nature, causes, consequences, and potential solutions to gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

Overview of Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

Gender-based discrimination comes in different forms, including but not limited to, unequal pay, lack of upward mobility opportunities, and sexual harassment. Unequal pay involves an employer paying one gender less than the other for the same job and performance levels. Lack of upward mobility opportunities refers to the promotion or advancement resources and opportunities afforded to one gender but not the other. Sexual harassment occurs when one experiences unwanted sexual attention or behavior, which could range from sexual jokes and comments to physical aggression.

The history of gender discrimination can be traced back to the pre-industrial age, where the norms and beliefs of society defined gender roles and the division of labor along them. However, employment policies that reflected or attempted to address gender-based discrimination emerged only in the mid-twentieth century. Some of these policies include the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination on various grounds, including gender, in employment, education, and other spheres.

Causes of Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

The causes of gender-based discrimination are multifaceted and are anchored in societal beliefs, stereotypes, and biases. Society breeds different expectations or obligations for different genders and assigns roles to individuals based on their gender as a marker of their identity, constraining their opportunities within the workplace. The glass ceiling, which is the invisible barrier that prevents women from moving up to higher organizational positions, is another significant cause of gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Gendered division of labor that results in certain job fields being gender-specific and not open to gender performance, whether positive or negative, is another cause of gender-based discrimination. The ineffective implementation and enforcement of equal opportunity policies further perpetuate gender-based discrimination.

Consequences of Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

The consequences of gender-based discrimination are negative and affect individuals and organizations. Financial implications, such as wage disparity, limited access to higher-paying jobs, and unequal compensation, constitute some of the significant impacts that gender-based discrimination in the workplace has on individuals. Additionally, gender-based discrimination has severe psychological implications for victims, leading to decreased job satisfaction, increased stress levels, resulting in burnout. Social and economic isolation is another impact of gender-based discrimination as individuals are limited by the restriction placed on them and their opportunities due to their gender. Finally, gender-based discrimination has negative effects on organizational performance, leading to a lack of diversity and inclusion and further inhibiting innovation as potential ideas are lost due to discrimination.

Case Studies and Examples of Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

Gender-based discrimination exists in almost every sector of the economy. A study conducted by the National Women’s Law Centre in 2019 found that women’s wages were 82% of men’s in 2018. Additionally, sexual harassment is another prevalent form of gender-based discrimination in the workplace, with women bearing the brunt of it. In 2018, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 7,609 sexual harassment complaints, of which 83% were female victims. Finally, the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in most industries depicts the gender-based discrimination prevalent in the workplace.

Current Measures and Strategies to Combat Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

To address gender-based discrimination in the workplace, employers must review their equal opportunity policies and their effectiveness. An effective approach would be to assess the current diversity and inclusion initiatives in place and improve them. For instance, organizations can promote mentorship and sponsorship programs to create opportunities for female employees and empower women through education and leadership development programs. Finally, the creation of safer reporting mechanisms can help reduce the instances of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Recommendations and Solutions for Combating Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

Eliminating gender-based discrimination in the workplace is not an easy feat; however, it is achievable with concerted efforts. Stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and regulations that hold industries accountable for contravening policies are among the first steps towards combating gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, industries must adopt proactive diversity and inclusion policies, accountable for achieving sets goals towards creating an inclusive work environment. Promoting mentorship and sponsorship programs would also help female employees network and access upward mobility opportunities. Gender equality is achievable with empowering women through education and leadership development programs to help break the glass ceiling and transform societal expectations of what women can and should do.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gender-based discrimination remains a prevalent challenge in the workplace, negatively affecting the financial, psychological, and social wellbeing of employees. Stricter monitoring and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, proactive diversity and inclusion strategies, mentorship, and leadership development programs are some of the solutions towards eliminating gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Achieving gender equality in the workplace not only enhances workplace performance but fosters a sense of inclusion and fairness, promoting a harmonious society.

1. United States. (1964). Civil Rights Act of 1964. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/civil-rights-act-1964
2. National Women’s Law Center. (2019). The Wage Gap. National Women’s Law Center. https://nwlc.org/resources/the-wage-gap-by-state-for-women-overall-women-of-color-and-mothers/
3. Equal Employ Opportunity Commission. (2018). Enforcement and Litigation Statistics. https://www.eeoc.gov/statistics/enforcement/sexual-harassment-charges