Dirty Words at Work
Chapter 3: Gender
noun: Gender
Gender is a topic of much socio-political debate in the last decade, even beyond the workplace. Gender’s very meaning has been debated, updated, and argued by many. In the workplace, however, it is still very much a dirty word.
Gender at Work
The topic of gender in the workplace incites a slew of feelings and reactions that can greatly range, depending on the subject.
The term gender can create a divide between those it represents. Gender labels and the social norms and expectations that may or may not go along with that label have shaped society for generations. The very label of a gender can be associated with diffident feelings depending on whom is at the discussion table, whether someone identifies as male, female, or a gender fluid sub type of a gender non-binary scale.
At work, gender is a dirty word because such a divide in identity and social norms is a scary realm to cross for many, especially those in management. Gender can represent pay gaps, privilege, diversity, and even hostility. Such words marry themselves to the fluid feelings often associated with the word gender.
The working environment as a whole has seen great change in the area of gender. And as it continues to evolve, that change is even more evident.
Women at Work
Gender, when seen as a biological sex, increases the divide even more so.
Today, women make up a majority of college graduates and a majority of 4.0 grade point averages. Women are also more likely to be hired for entry-level skilled labor jobs. Despite these facts, women are far less represented on a company board of directors. They’re even less likely to be a CEO with a company than their biological male counterpart.
Although the gender pay gap is improving, it is still a problem of our time.
It is such a division that adds to the negative connotation associated with the word.
Recommended Reading:
Introduction to Dirty Words at Work
Dirty Words at Work Chapter 1: Gossip