September 22 is American Business Women’s Day, and we at Brown Kwon & Lam know the importance of representing those hard-working women in the business sector. For years, disproportionate representation in the business world has been fueled by gender discrimination. Now, more than ever, it is time to raise the voices of these professionals and bring them the justice, and respect, they deserve.
Business Statistics: Women in Roles of Power
Reports have emerged that the number of female CEOs at Fortune 500 companies has reached an all-time high–however, that number is still absurdly low. As of May, 37 women hold CEO positions, which is only 7.4% of all Fortune 500 companies.
One economist studied the behaviors of employee interactions with upper-level management when negative feedback comes from female bosses.
Results illustrated that women and men reacted more negatively to criticism if it comes from a woman. Further, the report showed that following criticism by women, there were larger reductions in job satisfaction, and employees were doubly disinterested in working for a firm if they had been criticized by a female boss.
While some employees may not even realize the bias this creates, it only further perpetuates the issues women in higher managerial positions face as it leads to ineffective management strategies.
Women in Power Face Discrimination From the Bottom Up
In a 2018 survey by Fast Company and Inc., nearly 300 female business founders were interviewed about their goals, politics, and any forms of bias they have faced. “More than half the women said they had encountered some form of bias or harassment as female founders. It came as little surprise that nearly 60% were on the receiving end of discriminatory behavior from investors or bankers, while more than 50% experienced the same from vendors or suppliers. In other cases, founders felt potential partners or clients showed a gender bias in their interactions.”
Not only did they face discrimination from those on a similar level, but 26% reported that they faced bias and discriminatory behaviors from their own employees and subordinates.
When you have worked to build a company, move through the ranks, and become the leader of an organization, there is an inherent amount of respect to be expected. But when gender discrimination leads to decreased work productivity, disrespect from employees, and belligerent subordinates, you may wonder what you can do to assert yourself without being accused of discriminatory behaviors.
The New York gender discrimination attorneys of Brown Kwon & Lam stand with our female business owners, managers, and CEOs. We can help you fight discrimination in the workplace from the top-down, ensuring you are respected for the work you have done.
Gender Discrimination in New York City
No matter your status in a company, if you have experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, you should seek legal representation from a New York City employment attorney, like Brown Kwon & Lam, to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
If you believe that you were a victim of gender discrimination or harassment, call us today.