March is Women’s History Month, where we honor women’s contributions to society. Part of that includes celebrating women continuing to make great strides in the workplace. In many companies, however, there may be a glass ceiling for women in the workforce who are trying to reach the executive suites.
According to figures released this month by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 27 percent of CEOs in the United States are women. While that figure is higher now than in years past, it is still low when considering that women make up 47 percent of the country’s workforce.
Does Discrimination Play A Role?
While many people would like to think that sex and gender discrimination are no longer common, the sad reality is that some companies have not been able to rid themselves of this discrimination. Even if a woman has risen through the ranks at her company without issue, there may be some people who want to prevent her from reaching the top. This could include:
- Denying a promotion to a CEO or other executive role over worries that the woman will get pregnant and take too much time off or spend too much time taking care of her family
- Offering an equally qualified female candidate less money for the same position as a male candidate
- Asking different questions to a female candidate in an interview because of her gender
- Engaging in quid pro quo sexual harassment (offering a promotion in exchange for sexual favors) or spreading rumors that a female candidate engaged in these acts to get to her job
Talk To An Attorney Today
Unfortunately in many cases, complaints to human resources or a corporate lawyer only go so far . These specialists may be unable to see the issue from your perspective, and will be motivated to solve the problem in the best way for the company.
If you suspect sex or gender discrimination is keeping you from reaching your true potential in your profession, talk to an independent employment law attorney, who can approach your case from a new perspective.
