7 Stereotypes That Make Women Lose Comfort at Workplaces

Sexual harassment, provocation, and disparity in work has now become a regular part of a working woman's day. They do comprehend that these are profound issues of workplace safety but understand that it will take the more time to be fixed as it is the issue of mindset of men. Gender bias and harassment are not the only issues women face. There are tons of other things that men at work tend to do or say that make them extremely awkward. What’s is worrying is that all this can be seen happening openly in many places. These issues are often not discussed even if they trouble women a lot. The roots of this issue lie in the easygoing mindset and suspicions most associations have due to fake complaints of harassment.

1. Women Are Only at Work for ‘Kitty Parties’

Men tend to think that women are only at work for Parties or act as a showpiece to show gender diversity. However, this isn’t what women are for in the work environment. There are many women who work hard and deliver as much work efficiency as their male counterpart. It is time that males at work change their mentality regarding working women and the work they do.

2. Women Do Not Have Private Identity

Even at work when women are delivering high quality work, the stereoptype of women being identified as someone's wife or someone's daughter doesn't change. This is not only true for men but also true for society. The failure to accept the individuality of women apart from their family obligations is what makes women lose comfort

3. Women Like being Nicknamed

Many senior associates like nicknaming women subordinates thinking that this might make them feel included at work. However, not all women like to be called with nicknames and feel awkward. Seniors should understand that workplace is a professional environment and calling a subordinate by their first name in a polite way is far better than giving them unwanted nicknames.

4. Men at Work Know Better

This is a huge stereotype which stems from the fact that most of the women Workforce is relatively newer at work. Although, men must understand that they were late by years because of the discriminatory practices of the society. Somehow women have managed to break the glass ceiling but still the stereotype of "men know better" is in practice. If a women and men are at same position, generally the men would be consulted first for any work related query by the seniors. This practice needs to stop as women also know the same or even better. Make them part of the discussion instead of stereotyping that they don't have as good information as their male counterparts.

5. Men Will be Men

There are numerous instances where men at work tend to act weird or say awkward stuff and it will be brushed aside by saying "Men will be men". Talking loudly at gatherings, or saying inappropriate things with a women employee being around are common stuffs. Employers and men both need to understand that saying or doing such stuffs make their female colleagues uncomfortable and they can't get away everything with stereotypes suggesting men behave a certain way. It is a good time that men recognize the importance of female workforce at work and work towards making the workplace comfortable for them rather than stereotyping and doing inappropriate stuffs.

6. Lesser Women at Work Signifies Less Knowledge

Many folks tend to think that women Workforce is less not because of the discriminatory and biased practice of the society but because of less knowledge and competence among them. This is a blatant lie told to cover up the failure of society and men to allow women to join the workforce freely. Any successful working women can tell you loads of stories of hardships she has faced from her family, relatives, and at work just for working peacefully.

It is high time that society demolish this stereotype and let the women work freely. Many women are coming up in senior positions at work which in itself signifies that there is no dearth of knowledge among female workforce. It is just a matter of giving lesser opportunities to them which is obviously stopping their career from progress.

7. Women Are Only for Gender Diversity

Despite proving numerous times that they are efficient enough to handle any important position at the workplace, women are constantly subjected to biased behaviour. Many managers treat their women subordinates as showpiece who are only at work to maintain the so called gender diversity and hence are not given any important role. This behaviour not only makes women feel worthless but also stops their career from progressing. Obviously, this leads to decreased interest in work and efficiency.

The organisations should train their managers to be unbiased specially when it comes to gender equality. They should allocate work based on the merit rather than their own gender based stereotypes. If this practice comes into play then the work environment will become a lot better for the Female Workforce.

One can conclude that even if we are well into the 21st century, the stereotyping and the gender biased approach of the organisation has not been changed completely. Women still have to work very hard and convince a lot of people just to start their dream career. Also they have to constantly challenge a lot of existing norms on daily basis just to work and have a progressive career. There are some counter measures which organisations can take to from their end to make the workplaces more inclusive for the Female Workforce.

What Can be Done?

There are some steps which can be taken by the organisations to make the workspace comfortable for female workforce and break the stereotypes. First thing an organisation can do is to change its own approach in appointing senior managers. They should free themselves from existing biases and appoint eligible female managers. Next, they can organise PoSH training and seminars to facilitate workplace diversity that can help make the men aware of their stereotypical and biased behaviour. This could help greatly in changing the workplace behaviour of people. Organisations can also penalise people if they are proven to conduct biased behaviour at workplace.

TO CONCLUDE….

Decreasing the gender bias and breaking the stereotypes cannot be achieved in a day. But if organisations across the world identify this problem and work aggressively towards eradicating it, then it can be removed in far lesser time. The main issue is changing the approach of letting everything go just because it has happened for years. Change needs to happen and the companies should start from themselves if they truly want to achieve the goals of gender equality.