OL1 - Eureka #4
Chapter 10 of our text discusses how women in the workforce are classified according to one of four roles and these include sex object, mother, child, and Iron Maiden. The ‘mother’ role I found very interesting especially where our text mentions that each year the Equal Opportunity Commission receives thousands of pregnancy-based discrimination complains (231). These complaints include how pregnancy has changed how employers view these women now and career advancements are stalled. Well my employee must be the exception to the stereotype but guilty of another. A coworker of mine had been talking about getting pregnant and she shared this decision with many of her coworkers including our boss. This coworker and I were at the same level but I’m 23 years older and I was at the company longer. One morning I work up to an email where it was announced that she accepted a lead position where travel was minimal. Up until then, this position had never existed. Needless to say I was stunned and angry. I discussed this with my boss who shared his reasoning. He was considering one of us for this position because we were equally qualified but…..since she was planning on getting pregnant and eventually wouldn’t be able to travel he gave the position to her. Of course he told me how valuable I was and how I excelled on the road but to me it came down to reverse ‘mother’ discrimination.
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What a great post... I had no idea that these times of discrimination existed! I don't think that this is legal but, I don't know how you would fight it. Ummmmmm? Women have to deal with enough discrimination in the workplace and now an example like this one,well, it is just outrageous. And, what do you think a man would have done being told that he didn't get the job because she intended on becoming pregnant? What kind of management do you work for? Gosh! I am so sorry this happened to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a frustrating situation! In any circumstance where a promotion is not 100% performance based seems unfair to me. What if you had been pregnant at this time as well? Or neither of you? Would promotion have gone to you? It doesn’t seem ok for your boss to take planning for your co-worker’s future into consideration for who receives this lead position. What if unbeknownst to your boss you have an obligation that would make minimal travel ideal for you as well? Let’s say hypothetically you are taking care of an elderly relative or something like that. Should your boss take into account your needs or role as caretaker and factor this into the decision? I can think of many scenarios where this type of practice just isn’t’ ethical and would create an uncomfortable work environment to say the least! I just don’t think this logic should come into play when determining promotions. I'm sorry you have to deal with such a discriminatory circumstance.
ReplyDeleteWhat I dislike most about this is the fact that she isn't even pregnant! I am wondering if maybe he didn’t want to lose you on the road because you excelled there?! You said up until then this position has never existed—was perhaps this position made for her? Regardless, still unfair! I really find this odd that special circumstances are being made for someone’s possible future lifestyle. I could see if she was pregnant, and your employer decided to change her position or create one for her where she could work comfortably; but why a lead position? This is super frustrating for me and it’s not even my situation, so I can only imagine how you feel. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteThis bothers me too and Im not even working with you!! I hope she gets pregnant and then quits because she decides she doesnt want to work anymore! You should tell him you are deciding on getting pregnant too. If he tries to challenge you on it or bring up any other stuff...you did have a conversation where he promoted someone for "thinking" about getting pregnant. Why not just think about it yourself. Your boss set that standard. This really bothers me...I need to go eat ice cream or something....LOL
ReplyDeleteWk 4 Response to Shawn's blog
ReplyDeleteMy kids are adults now but your blog brought many memories flooding back. I had chaperoned many school functions when they were little and was surprised by how inappropriate some of the children dressed. These children were attending a catholic school were uniforms were required but on school-sponsored trips they were not. I think without the restrictions kids will conform to what the ‘in crowd’ wears even if slightly inappropriate. When my girls were in their teens, I recall my husband saying ‘if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, people will assume it’s a duck’. If he felt that they were wearing something too tight or suggestive, these words would flow. We have raised our daughters to be strong, proud, and loving but I think to get to this point they needed to express themselves as they were growing up within reason. We were always there to support and guide but not every child had that in their homes so I think what you experienced on your trip is the result.
Tamica,
ReplyDeleteWk 4 Response to Tamica
You are so right. Times have changed and it is obvious in situations like the one you describe. Many people get confused on what it means to be equal. I personally view chivalrous behavior as a dying art and this is sad. We can always hope that women like the ‘older’ one in you class doesn’t hold her tongue because that is the only way the younger generation will learn that you can still have equality with chivalry. I’m a pretty independent person but I still like when my husband makes me feel appreciated and I think chivalry shows this.
Wow Paulette, I have to say that a situation like that one you faced would have made anyone feel cheated. I know that it was anything but humorous at the time, but, for some reason, reverse discrimination always sort of makes me giggle. It is simply the fact that it is completely contradictory of any norms or stereotypes considering gender or race, yet still it is completely unfair and up hauling. I'm sure by now you've had to laugh it off a couple of times. It is really a strange time concerning gender and the roles given or assumed by those in our society. Thirty years ago, that women would probably have been fired after her maternity leave, yet in this era she receives a promotion! In one way it does well to illustrate the negating of old norms in the workplace--yet, at the same time illustrating new problems of our time--the reverse discrimination. I'd have to agree with Dana who said that any kind of promotion that was not completely based on performance is unfair. It think this mindset should apply for other aspects of advancement as well. Promotions, scholarships, etc. should be based on achievements, work ethic, high academics, etc.--these kinds of advancements should not be offered without sufficient proof of worthiness. A boss who is trying to make things easier for you or who feels bad for you is not my idea of worthiness.
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