Women discrimination at work: is it really over?

April 11, 2012|employees, Tips At work| No comments yet

Women have always been looked down on by society. Even though most of today’s women go to college and start careers, the “keep the women barefoot and pregnant” stereotype is still prevalent. Women are still being discriminated against in many places and that includes the work place.

It is a well-known fact that women’s salaries are less than men’s. A woman who works 40 hours per week can only expect to earn 85 percent of what a man who does the same job as her earns. The pay difference is even worse for women who work overtime. A woman who works over 60 hours per week can only expect to earn 75 percent of what a man earns.

There is no reason that a hard-working woman should not be paid as much as a man. America is a country that was founded on the principles of justice and equality for all. A woman bringing home a check that is significantly less than her male counterparts is an example of injustice and inequality. The pay difference between men and women further illustrates that discrimination in the workplace is still a
problem.

Many businesses will assert that they are an equal opportunity employer. Nothing could be further from the truth. Studies have shown that employers are more likely to choose a male over an equally-qualified female. Researchers have also found that attractive women are less likely to be hired. Many women are encouraged to take pride in their appearance, but that may be the thing that keeps them from landing the job of their dreams.

Motherhood is a blessing, but many employers see it is a curse that keeps a woman from working. Employers are less likely to hire pregnant woman. A pregnant woman will obviously need to take several weeks off to deliver her child, but that does not mean she is a qualified worker. Additionally, many women have reported that their employer fired them when they got pregnant. That type of injustice is inexcusable.

There are several people that think that discrimination against women in the workplace no longer exists. Again, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do women make less money than men, but they are also less likely to get hired in the first place. Some employers also see pregnancy as a limitation and will refuse to hire a pregnant woman. Discrimination against women in the workplace is still a problem. This problem will only get worse if people do not acknowledge that it exists.