Addressing Gender Discrimination in Male-Dominated Workplaces: Causes and Solutions

Gender discrimination in workplaces has been a persistent issue that has attracted significant attention in recent years, especially in some male-dominated industries such as science and Information Technology (IT), where female employees may be treated unequally compared with male employees and suffer from resource constraints. Gender bias could diminish the standing of female personnel and impact workplace communication by limiting the recognition of their perspectives. Moreover, gender discrimination impedes the contributions of female personnel and fosters a sense of male entitlement, which can disrupt the cooperative atmosphere of the company and hinder overall advancement. To eliminate this problem, determined efforts by both managers and staff in the organization are needed. This essay will consider two causes of sex discrimination before suggesting some corresponding solutions to address these issues.

Gender discrimination in male-dominated workplaces, such as the fields of science and IT, can stem from gender stereotypes and cultural norms. These are the beliefs and ideas related to sex that have been deeply rooted in culture and perpetuated through generations. According to Newall et al. [1], there are a number of stereotypes linking men with science while women are excluded. Additionally, according to certain cultural norms, it is believed that women are not suitable for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, indicating that if females try to pursue careers in these areas, they would not be as successful as males [2]. Consequently, despite the fact that some women are conscientious and competent, gender preconceptions and cultural practices may cause them to be undervalued or unrecognized in their working environment. Owing to these stereotypes and conventions, women's perspectives and strategies concerning the company's operations could be overlooked during workplace communication, and potentially hinder the development of the corporation to some degree.

In addition to deeply ingrained gender stereotypes and cultural practices, a lack of gender diversity in science and IT corporations might increase the prevalence of sex discrimination. It is common that males occupy the senior posts and the majority in these two fields [3]. As Kamalnath [4] contends, a limitation in gender variety can lead to a 'groupthink' mentality where individuals are less likely to challenge sex bias, thus triggering a culture of silence that perpetuates gender prejudice. Besides, 'Groupthink' can decrease the likelihood of accepting sex stereotypes, which might give rise to the creation of an environment where female employees are not taken seriously and are not given the same opportunities as their male colleagues. Consequently, a deficiency in gender variety in the working industry might presumably engender an atmosphere that is hostile or unwelcoming to females, which could impede employees’ capacity to collaborate with coworkers of opposite sexes, leading to an ambiance of mistrust and inadequate communication among colleagues. Furthermore, Fine [5] opines that an increase in gender diversity can probably reduce prejudice against women. Therefore, the paucity of sex balance not only makes it harder for workers to cooperate productively and effectively, but also results in a decrease in productivity and communication, which might negatively affect the harmony and progression of the whole company and aggravate gender bias.

In order to alleviate gender bias in workplace communication, management could consider promoting diversity and inclusion training programs. These programs can assist employees in comprehending and appreciating diverse viewpoints, cultures, and identities, as well as reducing unconscious prejudices and preconceptions among coworkers. According to research conducted by Adetayo [6], companies with gender-diverse teams are more innovative and financially successful than those without. By fostering diversity and inclusion, businesses may create a more pleasant work atmosphere that offers a more equitable and harmonious working experience to both men and women workers. Moreover, an environment of inclusivity can promote collaboration between individuals of different genders, leading to a sense of satisfaction in collectively addressing the problem and actively combating sex stereotypes and prejudicial behaviors. If everyone is able to voice their opinions and communicate the strategies for the process of the enterprise, rather than leaving the female employees mute and ignoring their viewpoints, they could potentially contribute to the development of the whole company.

Besides providing diversity and inclusion training programs, the management can also educate employees to remind them to take advantage of available legal resources which may help them. It is essential for women to be mindful of their legal rights and the procedures to report and accuse incidents of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace. Powell [7] believes that women staff should refuse to remain silent and make use of the resources around them to expose gender discrimination. Women can learn the laws that protect them from discrimination, join professional groups, and network with other women who have experienced similar situations such as gender bias. These contribute to reducing unscrupulous bias on sex in the working environment, while enabling female employees to feel more confident and less afraid of discrimination against women. As a result, it will facilitate fair communication and cooperation among colleagues of both sexes.

Gender discrimination in male-dominated workplace communication can result from several contributors including gender stereotypes and a lack of sex diversity, which might detrimentally affect the communication among personnel and hamper the growth of the company. Mitigating the problem will require a conscious joint effort on the part of enterprise managers, as well as both male and female employees themselves. Only if all business workers collaborate together can this problem be fully exposed and effectively handled.