Season of Sharing at FairyGodBoss

Jackie Ghedine

November 3,2021 at 12:09PM UTC

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Season of Sharing at FairyGodBoss

Were you ever made to feel inferior at work because you were a woman? How did you handle it and would you handle it differently today?

OIN THE SEASON OF SHARING:

1. Find three different members who are seeking advice and share your wisdom.

2. Post your burning career question or a workplace scenario you need advice on and then copy and paste this to the bottom of your post!

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AnonymousNovember 3,2021 at 1:08PM UTC
I've actually worked for mostly women-run organizations in my life, and just got a job recently with my first male boss! I've definitely been made inferior over my age, where I have been a manager of people 20-30 years my senior. I was lucky enough to have jobs during and right out of college in my field, and I've been at the decision-making table with important people at my companies since. I've had someone say to me once "When I first met you I didn't think you had so much depth or insight to you!" Now I love proving myself :)
AnonymousNovember 3,2021 at 1:44PM UTC
YES!!! I will never ever forget when I was pregnant with my first child. I went to my boss to have the conversation about my leave, my case load etc.
What he said to me will be burned into my brain forever.
"This is why I will never hire a woman of child bearing age again"
I wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. My joy was an issue for him.
This was also the same manager that told me as a new mother that if I had reliable child care maybe I would be considered for new positions. (with regards to recent absences due to a sick child)
After that, I left the company with in 3 months. I would handle it the exact same way every time.
Jackie GhedineNovember 4,2021 at 9:57AM UTC
When I hear stories like this, I'm always blown away. Not because I think it doesn't happen but because it happens so frequently. Leaving was the best decision. People like that don't change and his bias towards you wouldn't either.
AnonymousNovember 3,2021 at 4:30PM UTC
At a former job during my first pregnancy I was not included in working a golf tournament and was told it was due to my "condition". I went to the VP and asked if she wanted to correct that error or have me go to HR and file a report of discrimination.
Jackie GhedineNovember 4,2021 at 9:55AM UTC
Good for you to use your voice! You should tell this story to everyone you can, it's really powerful.
AnonymousNovember 4,2021 at 7:21PM UTC
I guess I never looked at it that way because the overall environment was so toxic. Thanks for giving me a fresh outlook on that experience!!
AnonymousNovember 8,2021 at 3:42PM UTC
The VP was also a major part of the problem in that company. She didn't fix it because she understood where I was coming from, she was more afraid of her image being tarnished if it went to HR.