Sexism at Work

[Stormraven]

While I am not surprised that there's still discrimination (I more or less wish I were surprised) I am surprised that it's that blatant. I have had a number of jobs, all over the spectrum, and I've never seen any company being that obvious about sexism.

[Melxb]

I had a retail job some years ago that refused to advance women to lead positions. Since almost no women were promoted from cashier to leads, there were no female supervisors and no assisstant managers and therefore no store managers. There were men above men above men above men above women. And it was the women were doing the sales that made the company so successful. I quite after 6 months because even though I was a pretty successful saleswoman, I was flat out told by my store manager that I wasn't "management material" and that I shouldn't worry my "pretty little head about store policies." I should "just sell like we told you." I quite right there. On a Saturday afternoon to boot.

I wish I wasn't 19 and too naive about that stuff. Now, I'd totally go to a lawyer or at least to someone in corporate. I didn't know any better back then.

[Jester]

He decided that I need to prove myself. So he gave me three departments to run by myself. Not even the best floor employee has EVER been given that many departments by himself.

My boss refused to give me a walkie because I am not a floor employee

I had to take all of their calls.

I did all this while a being a back up checker.

My boss then called me wonder woman. I asked if he was going to move me, and he said he will think about it.

Classic discrimination. When you call them on it, they give you a "chance" but make it virtually impossible to succeed, stacking the odds heavily against you. If/when you still manage to pull it off with some modicum of success, they say they'll "think about it."

Utter poppycock. They were not giving you any chance, they were trying to placate you, make you feel defeated, and/or shut you up.

I did more work than anyone did tonight, yet he will think about it! I really need to quit!

You are now faced with a decision.

1. Quit and get as far away from this company as you can, and don't look back. This is the easy decision, and frankly, I don't think anyone would blame you for taking this path. I sure wouldn't. This company and its bosses are a cancer. One stuck in the Fifties.

2. Go see a lawyer, and pursue the discrimination suit. This won't be easy, it won't be fun, but you may be able to make a real change, not just with the company, but with the societal attitudes in your area that make such idiocy possible. And trust me when I tell you there will be many women who will thank you. But as I said, this won't be easy. There will be plenty of people, both male and female, who will hate your guts if you do this.

3. Shut up and stay employed at this bass ackwards company, accepting their bullshit. I think this is the one option where people here would, in fact, lose respect for you. Unless there is no other employment possibility in your area, I just really don't see this is a viable option. At least not if you want to keep your self-respect.

I know that in my mind, you only have two choices, but since I am not in your shoes, I listed all three viable options. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[nomorecarts]

Thanks everyone!

I am going lawyer shopping today. I am pretty sure I have a case. What I'm scared of is this is a MAJOR company. I have known plenty of women that have been upset about the lack of promotion. I already have a former coworker that is going with me to look for lawyers.

Wish me luck!

<snip, missed where you said it was company wide> if your district manager or district human resources can't fix it, get a lawyer, if it's company wide lawsuits will make them change. my company had some major sexual discrimination lawsuits and now it appears to be pretty fair. I haven't known of many cashiers wanting to transfer, of 2 i know that wanted out the female got transferred, and the male didn't yet


PS:"I'll think about it" means "go away and I'll never get back to you"

[PepperElf]

did they give you any results from your "test phase"? or did they go "see? we were right girls can't cut it?"

reminds me of a male co-worker who felt girls shouldn't be allowed to use guns... to which i replied, "why not? they let YOU use one".

seriously, most guys who act like that from my experience... they don't really have a real reason, they just feel threatened by girl power and barf up any lame excuse to cover up their fear. real men aren't skeeered by us gals.