By law, workplaces should be inclusive and they should not discriminate against employees based on gender. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that many employees report being subject to sexism or sexual harassment at work. They can often be made to feel embarrassed, isolated or undermined because of the way others are treating them at work.
If you believe that your workplace is promoting a gender-biased culture and you have suffered as a result of this culture, you may be able to make a sexual harassment claim. The following are some of the most common signs of a sexist workplace.
You are assumed to be responsible for administering tasks
If your job title is a manager or coordinator and you are still expected to make coffee or bring in snacks at meetings, this could be a form of gender discrimination. By asking that you perform menial tasks for which you are overqualified, your employers could be perceived to be acting in a demeaning way.
You are undermined and interrupted
All employees have the right to be heard when they speak up or raise a point. If you are often interrupted by coworkers of the opposite sex, you may be concerned that you are being discriminated against.
Higher positions and promotions are given to people of one gender
If you have noticed a trend in your workplace whereby only workers of one gender tend to get promoted or become employed within managerial positions, this may be an example of gender bias. This is particularly relevant if you have recently been denied a promotion for which you were qualified, and your employer favored a less qualified employee of the opposite sex.
You feel embarrassed or offended by jokes and comments made
All workplaces should be respectful of everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, race or disability. If you overhear sensitive or sexist jokes being made, you can report this as inappropriate behavior.
If you are experiencing behavior in the workplace that is severe and pervasive enough to create a hostile environment, you may be able to make a sexual harassment claim in New York. Discriminatory behavior in the workplace can damage careers, and it should not be tolerated under any circumstances.