Overcoming workplace misogyny

Too many women still face the issue of misogyny in their their professional lives.  

Misogyny in the workplace manifests in many ways, both overt and subtle. Often, these behaviours are deeply ingrained in workplace cultures, making them harder to identify and address.

Some common examples include gender stereotyping and microaggressions. Whereas a man is considered assertive, a woman is regarded as aggressive, because women are expected to express their opinions in a smooth way.

Workplace harassment is hopefully in decline and, fortunately, many countries have laws that sanction it.

Glass ceilings, however, continue to thrive. In Get Promoted! program we address many issues that prevent women from rising to decision-making positions. This includes the courage to stand up against misogyny.

Here are a few strategies to overcome misogyny: 

1. Build a strong support network, make sure there are people who talk good about you and fight for you even when you are not in the room.

2. Use the Whistleblow channel. Each company should have one.

 3. Know your country’s labour laws and your company’s Code of Conduct on discrimination and harassment.

4. Engage in open conversations. Encourage open dialogue about gender issues at work. It should be done in a constructive way, but knowing that the misogynist wants to humiliate and embarrass his (or her, a woman can also be misogynist) target, it’s sometimes worth considering other methods.

Addressing the misogynist in a meeting directly after a misogynist comment, might help. Look them in the eye and say: “Excuse me, could you repeat that?” This usually embarrasses the misogynist, and that exactly is the point. Paying attention to the insult requires courage, but usually pays off. Don’t quarrel, just stay calm.

Let’s continue to stand together, lift each other up, and be the change we want to see.

We are the ones we have been waiting for (an old native American proverb).