How to Cope With Gender Bias in Your Office

Women have come a long way in the past 100 years, but equal rights in the some workplaces are still a long way off. At some point in your career, you may be forced to find a way to cope with gender bias in your workplace.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Briefcases
• Business Clothes
• Electronic Personal Organizers
• Women's Watches

1. Determine how far up into your company's hierarchy the roots of gender bias stretch. Listen carefully to conversations going on around you to find out who feels a woman's place is answering the phone or making coffee or that men make more effective managers.

2. Establish yourself as a professional. Come in earlier, stay later and work harder than your counterparts of the more favored sex.

3. Keep a daily journal of your work habits. Note the time you came in, the time you left, how long you took for lunch and any major accomplishments in case you need to refer to them later.

4. Point out your strongest assets whenever a conflict arises between you and any lesser qualified counterparts. Hopefully, your boss will see you are the "best person for the job" without anyone resorting to mudslinging.

5. Present your boss with the facts as you see them when other methods fail. Point out the circumstances under which you feel you have been a victim of gender bias and give your boss a chance to make things right.

6. Know your rights. Read the basics of the Equal Rights Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act and your company's Employee Handbook to get this information.

7. Go to the top of the food chain if all else fails. Be prepared to present your case to your boss' superior to get satisfaction.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to step on any toes. Some bosses may not be aware of gender bias at work within their department or organization and a simple conversation will solve the matter without going over anyone's head.

• Start casually looking for another job. If measures like these don't resolve the situation, you can always seek legal help, but chances are this is not a place you will want to work after you take that step.

• Watch out for any type of sexual harrassment. These two offenses often go hand in hand due to the offenders' common perceptions about women's inferiority.