I would like to say a heartfelt "thank you" ...

[PittLib]

to all of you who fight the good fight even against the odds. I wrote a post a few months back inquiring about gender discrimination in the work place, preparing to take on the higher ups ... but fearing that I didn't have much support from my female co-workers, many of whom need their jobs regardless of conflict. I acquiesced, and now the issue has reared its ugly head once again. I wait tables in a high-end chain restaurant that has an obvious male bias. Recently, a friend of mine, a lesbian woman, was promoted to management. Shortly after accepting the position, another sub-manager took her out in an attempt to convince her that she did not want the job. When she caught on to what was happening, the guy told her she didn't want the job because "you're a woman". Management then backpedaled, stating that they were trying to protect her because they feared her "temper" would get her in trouble and she would lose her job altogether. There were also indications that the position had been offered to a male. My friend consulted an attorney and contacted the corporate office. They came in and set up interviews with the female staff. They gave us same day notice and only a few hours to work with, and as I was out of town ... I could not participate. I've had some time to gain clarity on the matter, and came to the realization that they are not only biased on issues that affect our income within the workplace, but go out of their way to expunge promotable women in the application process ... therefore quashing dissent before it occurs while making room for promotable men.

This makes for a very stressful environment, particularly for my friend who never asked to be the poster child ... but thankfully, will not back down in the face of coercion. I initially had a hard time dealing with the responsibility of my words potentially costing someone their job (as I'm not trying to hurt anyone), but am emboldened with a strong ethical sense - and realize how wrong this is. Now I am on a war path. What pushed me over the edge were the woman who refuses to acknowledge the discrimination and the odious and callous remarks of a gay male employee. Not so ironically, they are both substance abusers lucky to have their jobs, therefore feel that they are indebted to management ... and yet I find it abhorrent that two people who most likely have felt the sharp stab of discrimination many times, are willing to vocally defend its perpetuation. On a side note, the sub-manager is also a gay man.

My point, and I do have one, is that ... those of you willing to fight deserve the utmost admiration, respect and support for your efforts because where would we women and minorities be without them? Every small battle is worthy of the effort if it chips away at discrimination. Perhaps it was naive to think that I was impervious ... but it has to stop. This is why I am a Democrat. This is why I will not sell any of you or your civil rights out to compromise or follow some supposed trend, nor will I support any candidate willing to do so. We all (for the most part) have to deal with varying degrees of discrimination, and while my situation is mild in comparison to what many of you endure daily, I can no longer tolerate nor perpetuate it by remaining silent and I applaud you for your past battles and support you in future endeavors.

[havocmom]

1. Many businesses screen for 'types' at interviews

They may give 'personality' tests and so on. They want to weed out independent thinkers. Many busniesses would hire sheep if they could.

[PittLib]

2. yeah ... in some situations.

the contrast here has more to do with ambition. I remember being asked where I planned to go with the job, and if I would be willing to transfer. You can see an obvious difference in our staff, though it is evenly split male and female. The majority of males tend to be 25-40 in age, are single and career servers. There are 2 males over 40, and only 2 are married. The females are 35-50 (I am the exception and youngest at 30) and 5 of 10 are married and have children. Of the 5 that are childless, 2 have another job and the other 2 have no managerial aspirations - which leaves the one person who might be getting screwed out of the job. She was hired to open the store 12 years ago ... so they couldn't exactly weed her out. I know two women with management experience who applied, and weren't even granted an interview ... while the two latest men were hired (thereby "over staffing" us and cutting back our shifts) with the express intention of promoting them ... they've already been granted job opportunities that were not extended to everyone. It is so shady. Corporations do tend to hire "sheep" ... but the same rules need to apply to both genders.