Topic 1 Definitions and Examples

In general terms, gender discrimination at work means that an employee or a job applicant is treated differently because of their sex and/or gender.

How can we feel discrimination?

1. DIRECT AND INDIRECT DISCRIMINATION

There is direct discrimination. This is when people are treated differently just because of their sex. For example, in their wages and salaries.

There is also direct discrimination in situations related to pregnancy or maternity. For example, if a woman is denied employment because she is pregnant.

There is also indirect discrimination. This may occur when women and men are treated differently when in a hiring or working condition that should theoretically be neutral. It is where we see a detrimental effects to one of the sexes. It can occur by providing certain benefits based on gender-biased references, for example the idea of the “head of the household” (perceived as a male role).

Direct discrimination is easier to detect and fight against than indirect. Indirect discrimination is a common method of discriminating whilst avoiding the appearance of doing so. This discrimination is not always deliberate, it may be unconscious.

Recruitment processes are a good example of how workers can be discriminated against unconsciously.

Let’s look at a case:

Maria is 39-year-old woman. She has been working as a computer engineer for the last 10 years but lost her job because the business was taken over by a bigger corporation and staff was reduced. She is well prepared and highly accredited, but she has not been called for many job interviews despite the numerous job applications she applied for and her efforts at the recruitment offices. She is worried because her colleagues of the same age and preparation are getting back to the labour market. She is married and has a 10-year-old kid.

What do you think are the key factors that influence Maria’s difficulties with employment  despite the legal provisions of anti-discrimination at work? How do you think the situation can be solved?

Let’s reflect on Maria’s case:

Maria’s case might be an example of unconscious discrimination in the selection processes. A male or female candidate is rejected for reasons such as age, sex or family responsibilities despite being just as prepared as others.

Some methods that can jointly help to avoid unconscious discrimination:

• The blind CV: a CV that does not include a name or surname, gender, age or a photograph
• The training of recruitment staff to raise awareness of their own stereotypes and bias
• A review of job offers to identify targeted adverts with jargon or “male” orientated words in the text that decrease the applications of women