Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Sexism in the Workplace

A couple days ago I was working. I work in tourism, so tourists regularly come through and use the facilities. One of the tourists made a big 'mess' on the toilet seat, and the other staff and I were arguing about who had to clean it up.
There is one guy who works with us who told me I should do it because I am 'a girl' and it is a 'girls job'. That was unacceptable. So I told him that he was being unbelievably sexist.
After being called out on it, he apologized and went to clean up the mess. I'm not trying to say that girls should have to clean messes, its just not right that the responsibility gets immediately passed to the women. Especially because my job is to be out in the field while he is more of a 'behind the scenes' guy.
There is sexism in the workplace constantly, even when there is no messy toilet to clean up. Men and women both automatically sort work into what men should do and what women should do based on the type of job.
How many times have women been 'helped' because something is heavy or 'not a lady like thing to do'? Women are just as capable as men, and men are just as capable as women.
I know some guys and girls who say that a woman's job is to stay home to take care of their family and house. That is also extremely sexist. There are a million women who are just as good or better than their male counterparts at certain jobs. So why is it so hard for women to do well in the same position? Why do women have to fight so hard to have the same opportunities? Why do women get congratulated more than men for their achievements?
Treating men and women differently based on their gender is sexism. Sadly, sexism is all over the workplace. Women and men alike can feel the consequences of it. It's time to stop. We need to recognize and call people out on being sexist. And not just the bad things, the good things as well. Why should someone be able to tell a woman that she 'has an amazing job for a girl'? THAT IS SEXIST!!! Any compliment that has something to do with gender is usually sexist. We need to avoid that.
What sexism have you seen in the workplace? Do you think it's okay?

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