It’s a fact. Women in the workplace face many challenges at every stage of their career due to gendered ageism, the intersection of gender bias and ageism. We know this. We experience it every day, and at times it seems almost impossible to overcome the systemic bias.
We lack equal pay from day one. We don’t have the same opportunities as our male counterparts for advancement and sponsorship, for special assignments to help us gain the credibility and visibility we need.
When we first enter the workforce we’re considered too young to have worthwhile ideas and opinions. We’re not invited to key meetings and overlooked for our lack of experience. If we raise our hand, no one calls on us. We’re easily dismissed as irrelevant.
Biased policies and workplace practices penalize us for motherhood and dole out flexibility options that have potential consequences to our leadership potential and income. And just when we seem to be making our mark around 40+, the ‘she’s getting older’ bias kicks in, our work comes under increased scrutiny and our future is questioned.
Panic sets in as we fight the battle at 50 and beyond to appear young in order to hold on to our jobs. Once we show visible signs of aging, we’re perceived as less competent with every new wrinkle. Passed over for promotions and opportunities despite decades of significant contribution, we struggle to be seen as credible….even to be seen, for that matter, and our wisdom and experience are often diminished.
It never seems like we’re the right age to be successful.
Ok. I get it. You feel like a victim of a system you don’t have the power to fix. Frustrated and over-burdened with work and family obligations, quitting seems like the best option, but then what?
Hold on. Don’t give up!
Read the full article on Substack.com
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