Reflection: Workplace Discrimination Erodes Confidence in Women’s Abilities

In the Arcticle, A study was conducted to see the percent of people specifically women, who
experienced discrimination in their workplace. It is found that 4 out of 10 women have
experience discrimination because of their gender. They are paid less or not assigned to
important task because people don’t think highly of them or think that women can finished the
task if they were to assign it to them. I think that in today’s time discrimination against women is
still prevalent especially in men-dominated workplaces. In the Article it is said that women are
perceived as incompetent or lacks the ability required in doing a job. Disregarding women’s
talents and capabilities just because some people think that women are less likely to get the job
done. So far, The Women in my family and friends has not experience any form of
discrimination in their workplace. My sister who worked in Abu Dhabi said that she was not
discriminated by men and she has bosses who are Females and she said that they have this aura
of strong, independent women and that they also intimidate men in their workplace with their
presence. I think that, yes, discrimination still exist and that people especially women experience
it every day. This could really affect them so much, it could kill their dreams or stripped them of
their confidence. It could plant doubts inside the minds of women, asking themselves if they are
truly capable. Discriminating against women can destroy lives and if we can’t stop it now, the
cycle will only continue and be passed down to the newer generations. I think that there should
be some sort of Officer in workplaces or counseling ignorant people of their biases. Eradicating
the gender biases when hiring people because there are times when women are not hired because
when applying for a job, if a woman applies at the same time with men, the are a high chance
that the men will be hired and not the women. Even if you’re not working and just applying for a
job, women are still discriminated against. And that could lead to negative effects of women,
some are less likely to aim higher thinking that even if they do their best in their work, it is still
not enough to be recognized because they are “just” women. That even if they do their work
properly men in higher power still won’t give them any reward or promotion that they so
deserved. I think that we should practice equality in our home and also in our workplace because
just a respecting and recognizing women can affect them positively.

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work is my own.”

Cerda, Clifford A.
 Article Title: Workplace Discrimination Erodes Confidence in Women’s Abilities
Women and men perceive women as less capable, due to discrimination
By: Matt Gonzales
International Women's Day is a time to celebrate women's economic, political and social
achievements. But despite the gains they've experienced over the past several decades, women
continue to be plagued by discrimination at work.While both men and women encounter
workplace discrimination, the psychological consequences of perceived gender discrimination at
work manifest differently in each sex, according to research by the University of Southern
California (USC) Marshall School of Business.The report, published in the Academy of
Management Journal, indicated that perceived gender discrimination reduces both men's and
women's sense of belonging in the workplace. However, the study showed that gender
discrimination decreases self-efficacy among women but not among men.Leigh Tost, the study's
lead author, defines self-efficacy as a person's confidence in one's ability to carry out work
tasks."We found that the stories that women tell about gender discrimination focus, at least in
part, on patriarchal assumptions about women's lack of competence and suitability for the
workplace and for leadership [roles]," Tost said.
For example, a woman who participated in the survey said a manager once stated that only men
can handle certain professional tasks. Another female participant said she's received comments
from male colleagues about how women should be at home cooking, cleaning or raising children
instead of being employed.

Many men said their organizations are likely to discriminate against them to reduce inequality
against women, according to the report. For example, some men believe that they weren't
considered for a promotion because top management wanted to elevate a woman due to historical
injustices against women.

"Early on, the biggest surprise was how often men reporting feeling that they've been
discriminated against or that they're likely to be discriminated against at work," Tost said.

Discrimination Common Among Women

About 4 in 10 U.S. women have experienced discrimination at work because of their gender,
according to a 2017 report by the Pew Research Center.

The study found that women were more likely than men to believe they've been treated as if
they're incompetent, receive less support from senior leadership, be passed over on important
assignments and experience repeated slights at work.

Additional examples of gender discrimination at work include women being:

 Paid less than men despite having similar job responsibilities.

 Evaluated or held to a different standard due to gender.
 Excluded from important meetings.
 Fired or demoted due to a pregnancy.
  Subjected to unwanted sexual advances.

Anna Baird, chief revenue officer for the sales platform Outreach in Seattle, is familiar with
gender discrimination at work.

In past job experiences, Baird was instructed by employers not to wear pants, only skirts. She
was even in a situation where she begged to be let out of a moving vehicle due to unwanted
advances from a colleague.

"Every woman in business, myself included, has at least a few personal stories of
discrimination," Baird said. "I don't think men have had to deal with these issues with the
frequency women do to survive in their career. I understand the frustration [of women], and we
all deserve to be treated equally."
SHRM Resource Hub Page
Overcoming Workplace Bias
Listening Without Judgment

The USC Marshall researchers noted that the effects of discrimination contribute to lower well-
being among both genders, with the negative effects being more pronounced among women than
men.

Tost said the low self-efficacy, as reported by many women in the survey, is associated with low
motivation, disengagement from work tasks and several other negative outcomes that can harm
work performance. These outcomes can affect women's careers and organizational outcomes.

"Anyone who is not confident in their own abilities will never likely achieve their ultimate
potential, feel proud of their contributions or grow their skills to the extent they could," said Deb
Boelkes, award-winning author of Women on Top: What's Keeping You from Executive
Leadership (Business World Rising, 2021).
Boelkes explained that gender discrimination erodes fellowship, collegiality, collaboration and
teamwork. If left unresolved, it can create a toxic work environment that could undermine the
success of the organization.

HR professionals should listen to employees who feel discriminated against, Boelkes said. They
should allow these workers to express their feelings in confidence and without judgment. This
could increase trust within the organization.

"Do not tell them they shouldn't feel the way they do, as doing so will likely make the situation
worse. Simply acknowledge their feelings," Boelkes said. "Then help them come up with a plan
to maximize their potential."

Baird's company, Outreach, emphasizes developing and promoting a diverse set of talent and
fostering an environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. The company created
nine employee resource groups that are actively involved in creating awareness, mitigating
biases and creating an inclusive environment.

As a result, women represent 39 percent of the global workforce and 45 percent of the leadership
team at Outreach, Baird said.

Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion programs can improve a company's culture and
create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, improving recruitment and
retention efforts.

Education, promotion and equal pay can help alleviate perceived workplace discrimination and
avoid the risks associated with pay equity.

Reference: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-
and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/workplace-discrimination-erodes-confidence-in-women.aspx