Women Still Facing Obstacles in The Workplace
On behalf of The Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Goldman posted in employment discrimination on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
It has long been known that there is a gender imbalance in STEM fields. Closing that gap could result in significant economic gains that benefit both men and women in the United States and throughout the world. There are many reasons why women in New York and elsewhere either avoid these professions or choose new careers after working for a technology or engineering company. For instance, it isn’t uncommon for women to be subject to discrimination or harassment based on their gender.
A lack of representation may dissuade women from entering a STEM profession. This might partially be because some younger women feel as if they aren’t as good at math or science as their male counterparts. Women who become parents could have a harder time finding jobs because of how society views mothers. Furthermore, workplace rules often make it harder for parents to balance having a career and caring for their children.
Unconscious bias can also play a role when it comes to hiring women and helping them advance in their careers. A study from Yale found that both men and women were more likely to hire a man as opposed to a woman based on their resumes alone. In addition, the male applicants were offered higher starting salaries and were given more opportunities to grow in their careers.
An employee who is subject to rude jokes, inappropriate sexual advances or less pay than others for doing similar work could be a victim of gender discrimination. It may be possible to file a lawsuit against an employer in pursuit of financial compensation. Compensation might include back pay or other damages as allowed by law. An attorney may be able to help an individual during a formal trial or during informal settlement talks.