Sideways Society

Stop Discrimination.info Website is pretty awesome.  It is what the EU is doing about discrimination.  Shouldn’t be doing this in the USA too?

Check out their website:  http://www.stop-discrimination.info

 From their website they say:

”

“For Diversity. Against Discrimination.”

Welcome to the European Commission’s website on anti-discrimination! This website serves as a source of information on the EU-wide campaign “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” At the same time you will find background information about the measures that have been initiated by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities to combat discrimination. Finally, the website provides an update on current anti-discrimination issues and activities in all of the 27 EU Member States.”

Discrimination is a serious issue and needs to be addressed.   The first thing people can do to understand what discrimination is – is to become educated.  Read what I have to say about discrimination, read what I have learned about it, and what I have pulled from different resources.

For over one hundred fifty years women have been battling gender diversities. So much progress has been made, but there is still issues of gender discrimination and sexual harassment at the workplace. These present-day issues are not just effecting women though. Perhaps it is because of women moving up in the work place, or maybe it is because society is much more open now, but men have recently been coming forward with complaints of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. There is still more work to be done when it comes to gender equality in the workforce, but we must also remember that it is not solely a female issue any more. Both men and women need- and deserve- to be treated equally at work.Gender diversity and gender differences are problems that we continue to see in today’s society.  It affects everybody and is not exclusive to any specific people regardless of culture, geographical location or race.  It is often prevalent in the workforce and it doesn’t matter if it is within the walls of a corporation or the workers of a construction company.  We see gender diversity in schools and as early as in kindergarten.  People are being labeled and stereotyped based on gender. It is an issue that has no end in the near future.

One of the many issues regarding gender diversity that we see today is within the school system.  The different treatment of boys and girls is often seen in the school system.  It starts with the teachers and continues on with the sports programs.  Girls sports often get little recognition or school funding where boy sports will receive adequate funding and often times have more programs offered.

I felt discrimination at a work place being a male in a woman run company.  I worked for a company that the CEO and all upper management were woman.  I felt the glass ceiling metaphor because I felt that I could see the top and that it was possible to get there, only the women were advancing.  I soon felt discouraged and no matter what I could do , I would always be unable to advance.

When the current manager was let go and they were looking for a new manager, I considered myself a viable candidate for the job and the best qualified within my peers I noticed the only people considered for the position were females.  I also saw an opening for a sales position in the company and tried to direct myself in that direction and also that job was given to a female.  At this point I knew that there was no spot for me in the company and I knew I had to leave the company.  It is difficult seeing the discrimination and thinking there is nothing you can do about.  Thankfully organizations like the EEOC are available for people like myself who are forced into and subjected to these difficult situations.

This is an excerpt from a women who worked at a job and rec’d remarks towards her that she did not like.  Her name is kept private to protect her identity.

I worked at a job no too long ago where I felt that there was unfair treatment strictly based on gender. I worked in a somewhat smaller office building where there was supposedly no dress code. When I started this job, I noticed that all the women were pretty much dressing up Monday through Thursday and wore jeans on Friday. This is typical of most offices, so I went with it. But I also noticed that the man’s attire was much more casual. Here I am in a skirt and heels standing next to a male co-worker in baggy shorts and Converse sneakers.

So, one day I just didn’t feel like wearing heels, so I wore jeans and Ugg boots. First thing that morning, my boss commented on my being under-dressed on a Thursday-in the hallway in front of multiple people. When another woman pointed out that the men’s attire during the week is always like that, his response was, “Yes, but not for my ladies. We’ve got to keep you looking sharp.”