Gender bias towards women in the workplace

Introduction3

Status of women in workplace4

Modes of discrimination4

Explicit discrimination4

Implicit discrimination5

Women in Law Profession5

Women in Law Schools6

Law Firm Discrimination6

Distinguishing Traits of Women7

More Compassion7

Smaller egos7

Articulate speaking8

Formulating and managing documents8

Less risky8

Mediator9

Women are less corrupt9

Gender Based evaluation10

Results of Discrimination10

Laws which protect the women at workplace11

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (amended 1964)12

Pregnancy and Discrimination Act of 197812

Family Medical Leave Act of 199312

Equal Pay Act of 196312

Violence against Women Act (VAWA) of 199413

Conclusion13

References14

Bibliography16

Gender bias towards women in the workplace

Introduction

Gender bias or more commonly known as the sexism is the term used in the context of prejudiced or discrimination on the basis of persons' sex. This kind of attitude emerges from the traditional thinking pattern that specific gender has only particular roles. In psychology, it is called as stereotyping because it is not reflecting the reality. Like past, in the modern world it commonly believed that women are weaker gender. On the other hand, men are intrinsically strong and can perform better in home, workplace or society. In many organizations, women are facing discrimination practices during the hiring process, compensation, promotion and treatment on the floor. There are various studies which show there is significant number of sexual violence cases including rape and sexual harassment against the women at the workplace. There are various laws which protect the rights of women in the society and workplace. However, the implementation of these laws in letter and spirit require a lot of work from the executive authorities.

In business world, stereotyping against women is the key barrier in advancement to leadership (Evans, 2011). It has been long seen in many countries that in certain departments women are systematically victimized like police, fire fighting and other filed based jobs. Women are limited to education, health, receptionists, assistants and other informal sectors jobs. In this assignment, the main focus will be on the gender bias towards women at the workplace with special reference to law firm.

Status of women in workplace

In United States, women are increasingly participating in the workplace. In 1950s, there were 33% women in the paid labor force which increased to 74% by the year 1990s. The disappointing fact is that there is negligible percentage of women in the top management. There are only 2% women who are working as CEO and 8% has representation in the top leadership (Rhode & Williams, 2007). In same way, women representation in Fortune 500 is reached to 21.6% in 2013 from 9.6% in 1995. In Fortune 501-1000, there are 15.6% of women in the total labor force. There is also insignificant difference in earning of females as compared to males. This scenario shows that position of women is going to be strong day by day in the American workplace. It is because of the laws which give them rights and protect them in the workplace.

Modes of discrimination

It is the unconscious mind and attitudes which create discrimination in the personality of an individual. The unconscious mind is not in the control of individual and becomes the ...