More women need a seat at workplace table
The #MeToo movement is outing plenty of perverts, but there could be some unintended negative consequences for women. Why bother hiring a female if she could lodge a sexual harassment claim against you?
It’s a concern that even one of the most powerful women in business is addressing. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg wrote on her Facebook page, “I have already heard the rumblings of a backlash: ‘This is why you shouldn’t hire women.’ ”
As she points out, “This is why you should.”
Having men rule American politics and businesses has gotten them into trouble. There needs to be checks and balances from women. If power is what drives these successful men, they should realize that they will lose it totally if they don’t start sharing it.
The culture needs to be equitable for everyone in order to have a healthier working environment.
Being paranoid by avoiding hiring women is not the best defense for men looking to hold onto their power. That will only guarantee their quick demise. Obviously, not all men in charge disrespect women, but enough of them have — proving they can’t selfregulate.
Sadly, not enough good guys have felt comfortable putting predators in their place over the last several decades, leading to women getting sexually harassed by their bosses and in the worst circumstances raped by them.
More women need a seat at the table.
The answer to this social media and cultural movement can’t just be some creeps losing their jobs. It needs to go much further. It is time for a complete cultural reboot.
The solution is not just to go out and hire a bunch of ladies and feel better about your corporate structure, it’s giving everyone a chance to rise in a business.
Sandberg wrote: “You should mentor, advise, and promote (women) ... 64 percent of senior male managers were afraid to be alone with a female colleague, in part because of fears of being accused of sexual harassment. The problem with this is that mentoring almost always occurs in one-on-one settings.”
Human resource departments are in overdrive reviewing their policies. At the same time, those in management should review who is in key positions and ensure women have been given the same opportunities. If they haven’t, it’s time to adjust.
It is not enough that the worst sexual offenders end up behind bars. Politics and the private sector need a face-lift, and it’s female.