Am I Facing Gender Discrimination in a STEM Workplace?

In the fast-evolving world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), innovation drives progress. Yet, for many women in this sector, systemic biases and discriminatory actions can continue to stall careers even in our modern age. At Olivier & Schreiber PC, we understand that discrimination is not always an overt act of harassment. It often manifests as subtle exclusion that slowly erodes professional growth.

If you are questioning whether your workplace environment involves unlawful discrimination, consider these indicators:

• Unequal Assignments
• Subjective Reviews
• Leadership Exclusion
• Compensation Gaps

Though these can be difficult to recognize at first, understanding your rights and seeking professional legal guidance can help you take the steps needed to address any workplace injustices you may be encountering.

When Is Access to High-Visibility Projects Unequal?

One particularly damaging form of discrimination involves work allocation. In STEM fields, career advancement often depends upon leading “high-visibility” projects, such as those that solve core business problems or utilize cutting-edge technology. Denied access to these kinds of projects can be detrimental to long-term career development. Consider these questions when it comes to your workplace projects:

• Are you frequently assigned administrative tasks, such as taking notes, scheduling meetings, or organizing team events, while your male counterparts focus on technical challenges?
• Do male colleagues receive better equipment, larger budgets, or more support staff for their initiatives?
• When a desirable new project arrives, does management assign it to a male employee without an open selection process, despite your expressed interest and qualifications?

How Do I Know if Performance Evaluations Are Biased?

Performance evaluations should measure your output and skills, yet they often become vehicles for implicit bias. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission notes that discrimination can occur in any aspect of employment, including appraisals. In such cases, reflect on these points:

• Do your reviews lack specific, actionable guidance on how to improve or advance to the next level, while male peers receive more concrete roadmaps for improvement or promotion?
• Do the criteria for success seem to shift only for you? If you meet a stated target, but management invents a new requirement to justify a lower rating, you should document this immediately.

What Are Signs of Exclusion From Leadership Pipelines?

When access is denied to leadership inroads and similar opportunities, careers suffer. Look for problems like:

• Lack of Mentorship: Mentorship and sponsorship are often vital for navigating corporate hierarchies. If male senior leaders only mentor junior employees who look like them, women can lose out on critical advocacy.
• Informal Networking: If essential business decisions occur during after-work drinks, golf outings, or events where women are not invited or feel unwelcome, this creates a barrier to advancement.
• The “Broken Rung”: You may find yourself unjustifiably stuck at entry-level or mid-level management while men with less tenure or experience are moved past you into executive roles.

How Do I Know Whether I Am Experiencing Pay or Promotion Discrepancies?

The Equal Pay Act mandates that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially similar. Be aware of potential red flags such as:

• Salary Gaps: If you discover a male colleague with similar experience, education, and job duties earns a higher salary, take note.
• Bonuses and Stock Options: Compensation includes more than just base salary. Disparities may hide in discretionary bonuses, stock grants, or profit-sharing arrangements.
• Speed of Promotion: If you and a male colleague started at the same time, but he has received two promotions to your one, despite equal or lesser performance, this impacts your lifetime earning potential and may constitute discrimination.

Defend Your STEM Career

If these scenarios sound familiar, you may be facing unlawful gender discrimination. Though these circumstances can be incredibly complicated, you do not have to advocate for yourself on your own. The attorneys at Olivier & Schreiber PC are committed to advancing the rights of workers in California and beyond. We have the employment law experience to evaluate your claims and the dedication to fight for the justice you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take action to protect your career.