Ethnographic Exercise

How are women perceived in the workplace?

I interviewed my friend Derek who works for a home builder company. After a lengthy discussion, I interviewed him about how he views the woman role in the workplace.

“I like working with women, but there are definitely some notable differences between the two genders.”

Derek explained how there’s a certain emotional level brought in to work from women. Women tend to get their feelings hurt with small insignificant things.

“We had a company chili cook-off and when a lady didn’t win she got her feelings hurt and complained and our company cancelled the annual chili cook off the next year, “Derek said.

He also explained how women are more apt to gossip and are more catty than men.

“Our mortgage company is mostly run by women and it seems to be very cliquey. I noticed if a group of women don’t like a woman they’re working with they try to get her fired. It seems like women harbor ill feelings and don’t let them go. Women seem to have a hard time separating work and personal issues. When men have a problem them usually address it and move on. That’s why I think it’s a good idea to have an equal balance of men and women,” Derek said.

Derek thinks women listen more and describes how having men and women in the workplace is a good balance. According to him, Men are more simple and practical (fact driven) and women tend to be idealistic and empathetic.

“If our company was run entirely by men it would be very impersonal. Women tend to be nurturing and ask you how your day’s going and more sympathetic. There’s a difference between guy logic and girl logic, it just doesn’t mesh,” Derek said.

I asked Derek if he thinks women work as hard/harder than men and he said, “It’s not gender specific, it’s individual.” An interesting turn in our conversation was when I asked him if he thought if women flirted to get what they want in the office.

“I noticed an attractive woman flirt with the owner of the company when she asked for something, and when a heavier, less attractive woman did the same thing, she was told no. Sex sells, it’s sad…but it’s the truth. I don’t think it’s fair when women flirt to get what they want. I think it lacks character and shows greed and selfishness. “

It was interesting to receive a man’s perspective of women in the workplace. Women do seem to balance an office by providing more sensitivity and empathy in an office, but drama and unnecessary cattiness may occur occasionally. One disheartening thing was the “sex sells” portion of the interview. This is the relevant bias in our society that unfortunately occurs in the professional world. Can a woman achieve a higher paid position or receive a bonus just by her looks and bust size? This question is constantly raised, but is probably true in most cases.