Unfortunately, sexism in the workplace is still common. Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's gender.
Usually, the form of sexism in the workplace often appears in words wrapped in 'jokes'. For example, "women are more suited to staying at home than working" or "women will not be able to do this work, just find other male employees" and many more, usually leading to female physique.
Apart from sexist humor, there are other forms of sexism in the workplace that are common. Anything? Check out the following review.
Male Employees Given Better Jobs
One form of sexism in the workplace is the existence of preferential treatment based on gender. One of these could come in the form of male employees being given better jobs.
Unfortunately, there is still a large disparity in positions in the company. Women who occupy senior management positions are still represented by a small percentage. The under-representation of women in management positions means that men are more powerful and women are given less desirable jobs.
As a result, when women are given less desirable jobs, they are unable to develop the skills necessary to advance to the next level. Moreover, if employers fail to promote their employees because of gender, this becomes a form of gender discrimination in the workplace.
Opinions are not listened to and respected
Another form of sexism in the workplace is opinions that are not listened to and respected because of one's gender. Usually, this form of sexism occurs when men don't listen to or even demean women's opinions at work, for example during meetings.
On many occasions, men do not want to listen to women's ideas for various reasons, one of which is that women workers are incompetent. Not only that, another form of sexism also occurs when men only want to consider the ideas or opinions of male employees. As a result, women's participation is reduced.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is a real form of sexism in the workplace. According to Komnas Perempuan's Annual Record of Violence Against Women, violence in the workplace in 2020 was in third place with 64 cases, both perpetrated by superiors and co-workers.
In the workplace, men are generally in a higher position, but the position of men is not only limited in the field of work. Men have power because society shapes them that way. Sexual harassment occurs when men abuse the power they have.
According to the Human Rights Commission reported by Career One, one in five women have experienced physical or verbal sexual harassment at work. Examples of sexual harassment can include unwanted advances, inappropriate comments (usually physical), cat calling, and other inappropriate behavior.
How to Deal with Sexism at Work
Lack of education is one of the reasons why sexism is still common in the workplace. If you see other forms of sexism happening in the workplace, here are some things you can do, quoted from Career One:
Question decisions that favor male employees over female employees
Understand workers' rights and how to enforce them
Gather support from coworkers
Remain professional about any complaints regarding reported forms of sexism
If there is evidence of sexism, collect it and save it