Article Description This article, written by the New York Times, investigates sexual harassment allegations against former political commentator Bill O’Reilly and the response from the employer, Fox Entertainment. Allegations spanning 15 years, ranging from sexual coercion (legal analyst Lis Wiehl claimed that after joining the network, O’Reilly claimed that she ‘owed him’ sexual favours) to suggestive remarks on the air, were settled discretely by the Fox News Network in order to avoid public scrutiny and further legal action. The motivation for Rupert Murdoch, the executive co-chairmen of Fox Entertainment, and other members of upper management for keeping O’Reilly was due to the viewership, popularity, and value of his show. However, after …show more content…
Indeed, women are disproportionately represented in the industry, as males outnumber females in upper level positions by a ratio of 3:1, meaning that men dominate corporate decision making and policy (Wihbey, 2015). A study of women office workers conducted by Bell, McLaughlin & Sequeira (2002) illustrates the consequences of male-dominated upper management: “in male-dominated environments, [it was] found that women whose supervisors were men experienced more frequent sexual harassment [compared to] women whose supervisors were women” (p. 5). This study is significant because it demonstrates how sexual harassment is treated as less seriously and problematic in organizations with a high male-to-female worker ratio and is a likely contributor for why the harassment continued undisturbed for 15 years. Furthermore, it explains why the Fox Broadcasting Company elected to handle harassment claims through private settlements rather than properly disciplining employees (i.e. leave of absence or …show more content…
Firstly, it highlights the fact that North American society still has significant work in overcoming workplace gender disparities. The harassment scandal is just one example of the difficulties women continue to face. Indeed, women are still underrepresented in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), making up only 25% of workers in these fields, and an average wage gap of 8.9% (as of 2015) still exists in Canada (Moyser, 2017). Although these are Canadian statistics, it implies that overall, there are existing social obstacles in North American society, and that society needs to continue to learn from similar scandals and statistics to achieve workplace parity between men and women. A second reason why this article is important is that management from similar firms (other broadcasting companies or multinational corporations) can analyze the mistakes Fox made (i.e., failing to disclose its harassment settlements to the public) and take preventative action. Firms that use lessons from the article will avoid similar scandals in the future, and will help to prevent harassment through effective training and reducing underrepresentation of women in upper level positions. Finally, this article is important for employees because it can help them identify red flags in their company, such as lack of harassment training. Employees can take note of these negative signs and suggest more effective practices to their
Sex Discrimination in the American Workplace: Still a Fact of Life. (2000, July 01). Retrieved from National Women's Law Center : www.nwlc.org
Despite legislation for equal opportunities, sexism is still evident in the workplace. Women have made great advancements in the workforce and have become an integral part of the labor market. They have greater access to higher education and as a result, greater access to traditionally male dominated professions such as law. While statistics show that women are equal to men in terms of their numbers in the law profession, it is clear however, that they have not yet achieved equality in all other areas of their employment. Discrimination in the form of gender, sex and sexual harassment continues to be a problem in today’s society.
In an article by Lisa Mooney about tension in the workplace, Mooney explains that there are many signs of sexual harassment in a place of business such as, the language men use towards their female co-workers, by referring to them as “ladies, babes or gals”, refers to there being a gender bias in the environment. Also if a man makes lots of physical contact with a co-worker of the opposite sex, there is an underlying assumption that he wants to have sexual contact with that person. All of these things and more make for tension for everyone around and also start cases of sexual harassment. Another form of tension is the power struggle between a female with a higher position than another male co-worker. If that woman is a no nonsense type of boss, then she is labeled as an evil boss rather than her just doing her job. These are some of the reasons it’s hard for a women to have and keep a job in the corporate world and why women everyday are fighting for better rights not only in the everyday real world but also just in the
Roberts, Barry S. and Richard A. Mann. ?Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Primer.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW:
Women are usually targeted because they are seen as the inferior gender in society. They are often displayed as sexual objects in the media, such as in porn and video games. Because of the way women are portrayed in society, they do not have the same opportunities as men. Many people may think that sexism is not an important issue anymore because women are making their way to the top. For instance, Mary Berara, the CEO of General Motors says “There are more women in more senior roles than in 1980 when I started. But from my career perspective, I don 't go into a room and take count. I want to be recognized for my contribution and for what I do” (nymag). Women are pushing themselves to work in higher positions, to prove that they have the same ability as men. Although women are becoming more and more powerful, sexism is still a huge issue today. Women may have higher positions, but they are paid less than men. According to a news article, “In 2012, the median earnings of American women working full time year-round were $37,791. American men earned a median income of $49,398. The gender wage gap has hovered at about 77 cents on the dollar since 2007” (huffington). This proves that sexism is present today since women working in the same jobs as men are paid a lower
The facts of the case are laid out in a easily understood format, listing costs and accusations in a “matter of fact” tone that brings light to the issue without turning the scandal into mere gossip. This is important as it demonstrates that such issues are to be taken seriously as they affect real people and their experiences in the work force. The message, ultimately, is that the sexual assault charges against Fox News are resulting in significant changes being made within the company to improve employee equality and treatment. As the article’s tone suggests, this is a step forward for the company, which has been made to compensate for their unethical
Sexism is a major factor in the workforce.Today male and female have a hard time breaking into the opposite gender dominated fields. This has happened because of the media, it has showed us that male have certain “right” jobs, as well as female. Female still dominate traditional female professions like cosmetology jobs are 92.9 percent women working them(Wolfe). If a man were to get into cosmetology they would most likely be judged for having that job, because we stereotype that they can't have a feminine job. Women have a harder time getting into high level positions. “Women make up only 21 of the S&P’s 500 CEOs,” (Berman). This has happened because the media has set in place stereotypes that it is wrong for women to have high level positions. It is getting better, in 2013 women chief financial officers increased 35 percent at large U.S. companies from 2012 (Frier and Hymowitz). The job market for men and women is still unfair but it is starting to get equal.
This essay is an analysis of contemporary issues associated with gender and power in the workplace; which will specifically include a discussion of gender relations, stereotyping, women’s identity, the structuring of formal and informal power, sources of inequality, and sexual harassment.
For many decades, women have faced inequalities in the workforce. At one point, they were not allowed to work at all. Although women's rights have improved and are now able to work alongside men, they are still treated unfairly. According to the 2012 U.S. Census, women’s earnings were “76.5 percent of men’s” (1). In 2012, men, on average, earned $47,398 and women earned only $35,791. This is when comparing employees where both gender spend the same amount of time working. Not only do women encounter unfairness in work pay, they also face a “glass ceiling” on a promotional basis. This glass ceiling is a “promotion barrier that prevents woman’s upward ability” (2). For example, if a woman is able to enter a job traditionally for men, she will still not receive the same pay or experience the same increase in occupational ability. Gender typing plays a huge role in the workplace. It is the idea that women tend to hold jobs that are low paid with low status. Women are not highly considered in leadership positions because of social construction of gender. Society has given women the role of “caretakers” and sensitive individuals. Therefore, women are not depicted as authoritative figures, which is apparent with the absence of women in leadership roles in companies. Furthermore, sex segregation leads to occupations with either the emphasis of women in a certain job or men in a certain job. In 2009, occupations with the highest proportion of women included “secretary, child care worker, hair dresser, cashier, bookkeeper, etc.” (3). Male workers typically held job positions as construction workers, truck drivers, taxi drivers, etc. (3). Sex segregation represents inequality because the gender composition for these jobs depends on what ...
However, harassment involving employees facing widespread extreme sexual discrimination is still continuing. Just about 15% of women encountering this classification of badgering take legitimate action towards it; out of these cases, only 50% are found to have cause. In today’s society, an assumption exists that women who report abuses such as this are being too sensitive, exaggerating their stories to make them sound worse or attempting to get revenge on a male associate. Many people, unfortunately consider this to be a historical issue that is apparently dramatically overemphasized which it is indeed
According to a recent study, the causes of sexual harassment in the workforce can be exceedingly difficult due to the fact that employee’s are dependent on each other for team work and support, and are reliant on their supervisor’s approval for time off and career advancement. Supervisors and employers take advantage of their supremacy they have over their employees. Such closeness and intensity can distort the professional boundaries which lead people to cross over the line. The report also reported that Politics can be a catalyst, and problems caused by poor management, workplace bullying, frustration, and job/financial insecurity which creates a hostile environments. Furthermore, personal problems can also play a factor, and sexual harassment can be a symptom of the effects of life traumas, such as divorce, or death of a spouse or child (Sexual Harassment in the Workplace).
Glazer, S. (1996, July 19). Crackdown on sexual harassment. CQ Researcher, 6, 625-648. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/
Sexual harassment in the workplace has been a huge problem in recent history. It can happen to anyone, and it can happen everywhere. It can affect all types of races, genders and ages. Statistics today show that more and more sexual harassment has become an issue due to the large number of cases presented. Mainstream media becomes consumed covering sexual harassment because of the high-profile cases.
My personal experiences aren’t exactly direct, but it gave me a firsthand view on how this issue is sometimes hard to recognize but very prominent in society today. Studies show that being sexually harassed can affect and devastate your psychological health, physical well-being and vocational development. Therefore, it’s better to be aware of the history, and behavioral concepts of this issue to avoid it from happening to you. Sexual harassment is a growing problem in today's workplace. The signs and causes of harassment are not always easy to detect.
In today’s workplace, sexual harassment is a growing problem. The legal definition of sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or conduct on the job that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. Another definition is the making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or of sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in a superior or supervisory position. Women and men of all ages, backgrounds, races and experience are harassed on the job. Sexual harassment encountered in workplaces is a hazard across the world that reduces the quality of working life, jeopardizes the well-being of women and men, undermines gender equality and imposes costs on firms and organizations.