Workplace bias, yet another issue

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In India, 85% of working women claim to have missed out on a promotion or hike because of their gender.

On reasons for being unhappy with opportunities to advance in their careers, 22% working women in India said their companies exhibit a favourable bias towards men at work, compared to the regional average of 16%. In India, 85% of working women claim to have missed out on a raise, promotion, or work offer because of their gender, compared to the regional average of 60%.

Take a look at these statistics:

Globally, women are paid just 63% of what men earn
Women in India, for instance, earn 20% less than men, in supervisory levels
Women represent fewer than 50% of leaders in every industry analyzed
Historically, female-dominated industries tend to pay less than those with higher male representation

These numbers reflect only the more obvious and measurable instances of gender disparity at the workplace. Gender bias goes beyond pay discrimination or unequal represententation of women at senior levels of the organization.

“It is the need of the hour for organizations to reimagine their diversity practices and offer greater flexibility to caregivers, to increase female participation in the workforce. Reduced and flexible schedules, more sabbaticals, and new opportunities to upskill and learn are critical offerings that can help organizations attract, hire, and retain more female talent,”
Ruchee Anand, director, talent and learning solutions, India, LinkedIn.

Women are actively seeking employers who treat them as equal (50%), while 56% are looking to get recognition at work for what they do, according to LinkedIn’s findings.

Insights from the Randstad Gender Perception Survey 2019 show that 63% of women have experienced gender discrimination or know of women who have been discriminated against at the time of hiring. Women continue to face bias during recruitment due to their marital status or perceived work-family conflict. For those who get past these initial barriers, the pay scale offered often does not reflect their ability and experience, and is typically less than the average pay offered to male employees in similar roles.

“Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) policy implementation is crucial and needs to be monitored by senior management to assess the efficacy of the same,” said Aashish Kasad, Partner and India Region Diversity and Inclusion Leader, EY.

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I have always believed in the phrase “I Can” and because of my will power I always change it into “I Did It”. That’s how I have come so far in my life .

When I got pregnant for the second time little I knew that it’s going to be a life changing experience. During my 21st week of pregnancy something happened and I had a miscarriage. I had a lot of blood loss and I was almost losing myself. Somehow doctors revived me and I was saved. As much as it was physical loss, more than that it was an emotional loss for me. When a mother loses her child she always thinks it’s her failure and I also thought in the same way. It was a very uneasy time for me emotionally but I already had a daughter to look after and because of her I was gaining my strength back.

After a few months I was pregnant again and this news was very healing for me but again as I was weak I had to be on complete bed rest. I was not even allowed to visit the washroom. But I was very determined that I wanted this baby anyhow.

My doctors were worried because of my health. By the time I reached my 23rd week of my 3rd pregnancy, I was diabetic and was gaining weight rapidly. By my 6th month, I was almost 76 kgs. I was on insulin thrice a day. I still can’t believe that I used to poke myself 4 times to check my sugar level and inject myself 3 times to take insulin. I am very very scared of injections even today.

After delivery I was 88kgs with no strength in my back and legs. I was totally taken aback when I realised that I was not able to walk. But I had to gain the strength back as I wanted to play with my baby and hold him in my arms.

Gradually, I started my training and fat loss journey. During my fat loss journey when I was 70 kgs I came to know that now I have one more unwanted guest – PCOS. It made my journey troublesome but I was no less. Rigid that I am, with proper nutrition and exercise I reversed my PCOS completely.

Today I am PCOS free and a very healthy and confident woman and a mother of two beautiful kids.

I have written this as I want to tell you all that if a moment ever comes in life that you feel defeated – Always remember the person you wanted to be. Take small and steady steps, maybe you will fail but you will surely learn something from your failure.

Look back, appreciate yourself for becoming the person you are today. Always remember that you are unique and that you will always strive for the best.