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What Are the Effects of Workplace Gender Discrimination?

workplace discrimination

Gender discrimination in the workplace can have extensive and long-term effects on an employee’s emotional, and physical well-being. How discrimination affects an individual varies, depending on the employee’s perception and their response to the situation. Regardless, being discriminated against at work can be a very emotional and devastating experience and can impact an employee’s life in many ways.

No one likes to visit places that make them feel afraid, vulnerable, or uncomfortable. When that place is your work, it can be incredibly stressful. Some emotional effects of workplace discrimination include:

  • Feeling fearful, bullied, and unsafe.
  • Having low self-esteem, indecisiveness, and unable to trust your own judgement.
  • Feeling conflict, tension, and/or isolation with your coworkers.
  • Experiencing low-productivity or an inability to do your job.
  • Developing metal health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse issues.

What Is Gender Discrimination?

Gender discrimination exists when a person is treated unfairly or differently based on their gender. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, religion, and national origin under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, however, there are currently no federal laws regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. Recently, some states have begun to adopt their own interpretation of the Civil Rights Act in order to include discrimination protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

While discrimination based on race, sex, religion, and national origin has been illegal in the U.S. for decades, gender discrimination continues to exist, particularly for women of color and transgender women. Women continue to lag in salary compared to their male counterparts and not receive equal pay for equal work.

Although overwhelmingly experienced more by women, men can also be subject to gender discrimination in the workplace. It should also be noted that both men and women can perpetrate discrimination against coworkers.

What Are Some Examples of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace?

There could be many types of discrimination in a work environment, from unequal salaries to sexual harassment and feeling afraid at work. Here are a few examples of workplace gender discrimination:

  • Not being offered a position or being fired based on your gender.
  • Being paid less than a coworker of the other sex with the same job.
  • Being passed over for a promotion based on your gender and not your qualifications.
  • Denied employee benefits, including sick days and maternity or paternity leave based on your gender.
  • Being disciplined for a specific action, but a coworker of the other sex is not for the same action.
  • Receiving unwanted sexual harassment, sexual advances or requests, and inappropriate touching.

What if I Experienced Gender Discrimination?

Experiencing gender discrimination at work can be emotional and traumatic, and no one should feel that they must tolerate such conditions. As an employee, you are entitled to certain rights in the workplace.

If you think you are experiencing gender discrimination at work, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, including:

  • Reporting the incident to your supervisor, management, or the Human Resources (HR) department.
  • Documenting the discrimination, including where and when it happened. Be detailed and specific, including how it affected you and your ability to perform your job or how it affected your personal life.
  • Contacting an employment lawyer, especially if you have had no results from reporting the discrimination.

Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. Advocate for Employees Subjected to Gender Discrimination

Workplace gender discrimination can affect an employee in many different ways. If you have suffered gender discrimination at work, you have employment rights. Our Philadelphia employment lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. can help you attain justice. Contact us online or call us at 215-574-0600 for an initial consultation today. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.