Women have never been more ambitious and eager to make their mark on society. They have strong career aspirations and want to be in influential leadership positions. However, they still lack proper representation in the workplace. They continue to be overlooked and face many misconceptions about them that are creating unnecessary barriers.
Our healthcare recruiters continue to hear and dispel myths about women in the workplace. Below, we discuss common myths and cite a recent study dispelling common misinformation about women at work.
Common Myths About Women in the Workplace
There are many prevalent myths about women in the workplace. These myths can be detrimental to women and adversely affect their career aspirations.
These are some of the most commonly cited myths about women in the workplace that our recruiters hear:
- Women are less career-focused than men because of their lifestyle preferences
- Women prioritize their family over their career
- Women don’t ask for raises and this is a reason the pay gap exists
- Women are not as well suited for leadership roles as men
- Women are not as dedicated to their jobs as men
Over the years, these baseless claims have become common beliefs in many circles, even though no evidence supports them. Yet, here we are in 2023, still trying to dispel these false claims.
Study: Four Myths About The State Of Women At Work Debunked
According to the Women in the Workplace 2023 report, here are four common myths about women at work that have been debunked:
Myth 1: Women are becoming less ambitious
It is actually the opposite. The study found that women are more ambitious than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexible work arrangements such as the ability to work from home and flexible hours are helping women act on their ambitions.
- 9 in 10 women under 30 want to be promoted to the next level
- 3 in 4 women under 30 aspire to hold a senior leadership role
Myth 2: The biggest barrier to women’s advancement is the ‘glass ceiling’
According to the study, “The ‘broken rung’ is the greatest obstacle women face on the path to senior leadership.” The biggest barrier women continue to face is being promoted from an entry-level to a management-level role. The study found that for every 100 men promoted to management roles, only 87 women were also promoted. This number is even lower for minority women.
Myth 3: Microaggressions have a ‘micro’ impact
Again, it’s quite the opposite. Microaggressions in the workplace have a lasting impact on women. Some of these microaggressions that women continue to face include:
- Other people getting credit for their ideas
- People questioning their judgement
- People commenting on their appearance
- Getting mistaken for someone more junior
- People commenting on their emotional state
Myth 4: It’s mostly women who want—and benefit from—flexible work
The truth is both men and women want flexible work, even though women tend to value it more. Hybrid work opportunities are seen to provide better balance and a reduction in fatigue and burnout.
Our recruiters hope that shedding light on these myths will guide companies in forging a forward-thinking path, discarding outdated perspectives definitively, and propelling advancements for women.
Read More About Women In The Workplace From Our Healthcare Recruiters
Study: Women Face Employment Discrimination at Every Age and Career Stage
Women at Work: What You Need to Know from a Nobel Prize Winning Researcher
REPORT: Women & BIPOC People Have Been Disproportionately Impacted by COVID Unemployment
