African American Women In The Workplace Essay

675 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Importance of managing diversity in a workplace

There are less opportunities for African American woman in the workforce. Women in general, face a "glass ceiling" in the workplace that prevents them from moving up to positions such as supervisors and managers (Mitra, 2003). It is even more challenging for African American woman to have a high position job. Black female supervisors with greater responsibilities often do not experience any significant wage premiums associated with greater job responsibilities. 26% of black women feel their talents aren’t recognized by their superiors, compared to 17% of white women (Kohn, S). If their talents are not recognized then they will have a less chance to getting promoted because their achievements are not being noticed and appreciated. There is nepotism in …show more content…

It is unethical for workplaces to favor friends and family members when it comes to hiring and promoting employees. The overall problem for African American women is taking a stance by fighting for equal employment rights. Since lawsuits are costly and time consuming, most African American women are intimidated to file a law suit knowing that an employer will retaliate. This does not justify that African American women should allow an employer to discriminate against them and accepting desperate treatment. After many years of being “singled” out, discriminated against and humiliated at a well-known federal health care organization in Cape May County New Jersey, a African American employee decided to fight for her rights of equal opportunities. This Particular employee filed with the Enforcement of Equal Opportunity Employment (EEOC) alleging that she was demoted three times for unjustified reasons, lower salary compare to whites and violation of the Family Leave Act (FMLA). The employee was the “only” African American women working in the Administrative department at the time the action actions took place. The first incident occurred in March 2012. During a

Show More
Related

  • Rosie The Riveter Research Paper

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    Despite the manifestation of Rosie the Riveter propaganda and the continuous push to recruit women, they still were not granted equal pay for their services. This was true in the 1940’s and it’s still a relevant issue today. Then, it was rare for women to earn even slightly more than fifty cents to every man’s dollar. Now, the average woman earns anywhere from sixty to eighty percent of a man’s salary for the exact same job. Ranges vary depending on the specific career field. However, women of minorities remain stuck in injustice systematic trends. The pay rate for a female minority is still approximately fifty percent.

    Read More

  • Exploring Racial Discrimination in the Case, Dunlap v. Tennessee Valley Authority

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    David Dunlap, a 52-year old African American male with 25 year boilermaker experience, 15 years of which include foreman experience, brought suit under Title VII, alleging racial discrimination by the TVA after being looked over after interviewing for positions within the TVA. The district court agreed that “Dunlap had been subjected to discrimination under both disparate treatment and disparate impact analyses, concluding that TVA’s subjective hiring processes permitted racial bias against both Dunlap and other black applicants” (Walsh, 2010). The case was heard by the 6th District Court of Appeals and that court “affirmed the disparate treatment claim, reversed the disparate impact claim, and affirmed the district court’s award of damages and fees to Mr. Dunlap” (Walsh, ...

    Read More

  • Key Social Problems Affecting Africans Americans

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Because workplace discrimination is closely tied with underemployment and unemployment, it’s important to know why blacks continue to obtain lower positions and promotions than their white co-workers. In The Social Psychological Costs of Racial Segmentation, Tyrone A. Forman discusses explanations of the separation of middle class African Americans in the workplace. The amount of blacks and whites co-working has grown, but blacks are often given the jobs with the lower prestige and rarely any chance of promotion. Despite increasing numbers of middle-class blacks working the same types of jobs, African Americans are primarily segmented...

    Read More

  • African-American Women: Understanding The Problems of Gender and Race

    2077 Words  | 5 Pages

    African-American women have often been an overlooked group with the larger context of American Society. Historically, oppression has been meted out to the African-American woman in two ways. Historically, everything afforded to African-American, from educational and employment opportunities to health care have been sub-par. As women they have been relegated even further in a patriarchal society that has always, invariably, held men in higher regard.

    Read More

  • Institutionalized Racism In Public Schools By Zz Packer

    1679 Words  | 4 Pages

    Like the article “African American Women in the Workplace: Relationships Between Job Conditions, Racial Bias at Work, and Perceived Job Quality” Dina is being restricted from the opportunity to work in the modeling industry. The modeling workforce is plagued with institutionalized racism, which therefore hinders Dina from finding a job. Since institutionalized racism is dominant when Dina tries to find a job, this causes segregation amongst individuals of different races in the modeling workforce.

    Read More

  • Racial Inequality in America

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    In today’s world, the American still has barriers to overcome in the matter of racial equality. Whether it is being passed over for a promotion at the job or being underpaid, some people have to deal with unfair practice that would prevent someone of color or the opposite sex from having equal opportunity at the job. In 2004, Dukes vs. Wal-Mart Stores Incorporation was a civil rights class-action suite that ruled in favor of the women who worked and did not received promotions, pay and certain job assignments. This proves that some corporations ignore the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which protects workers from discrimination based on sex, race, religion or national origin.

    Read More

  • African American Women Essay

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Phillis Wheatley and Elizabeth Freeman’s actions influenced the American Revolution. Wheatley through her literature, which included poems sent to George Washington and a poem written in regards to King George the third, was able to set an example of how African Americans are intelligent and equal human beings of the American colonies. Elizabeth Wheatley went against all odds to obtain her freedom by suing her slave owner and winning the case in court. Phillis Wheatley and Elizabeth Freeman’s actions during the American Revolution affected what liberty rights they would obtain years after the American Revolution ended.

    Read More

  • Affirmative Action and Racial Tension

    1704 Words  | 4 Pages

    Some feel that affirmative action in universities is the answer to the end of racism and inequality. If more black students get into and graduate from good colleges, more of them will go on to even out the lopsided numbers in the work force. Prejudice secretly slips through everyone¹s thoughts. Or so Barbara Ehrenreich believes when she writes of a quiet, subliminal prejudice that is caused by statistics that prove the fewer numbers of blacks in high profile jobs. When we see ninety percent of leadership roles in the corporate world held by white men, we begin to doubt other¹s competence in that field. With so many minorities in menial roles, people begin to believe the white man is best for ...

    Read More

  • Racial Inequality in the United States

    420 Words  | 1 Pages

    Blacks are prevented from enjoying life in the American work force because of their race. The problem is that Whites cause Black misery, but do nothing to change this. Jill Nelson’s White supervisors could have been more accommodating to Nelson’s needs. They could have taken measures to make her more comfortable in the work place, possible by hiring more Blacks. Their newspaper could have began to portray Blacks in a more positive, truthful light.

    Read More

  • Overt Discrimination In The Workplace

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    In today’s workplace, African Americans continue to be subjected to overt discrimination. This can take the form of ethnic jokes, racial slurs and exclusionary behaviors by Euro-American co-workers and managers. Even more disturbing is the verbal abuse, calculated mistreatment and even physical threats experienced by some African Americans while on the job. African Americans have also faced overt acts such as being reassigned to lower level projects, not receiving a promotion even though they were equally qualified and receiving less wages than other employees, even less qualified new hires. The discrimination can be so pervasive that African Americans feel uneasy and threatened, demotivated and disrespected, eventually feeling forced to leave to search for other employment.

    Read More

  • pay equity

    366 Words  | 1 Pages

    Wage inequalities are not a result of women’s qualifications or choices. Wage discrimination persists despite women’s increased educational attainment, greater level of experience in the workforce, and decreased amount of time spent out of the workforce raising children. •      Education. Although the number of women attaining baccalaureate and advanced degrees now surpasses the number of men, in 1999 the median wages of female college graduates were $14,665 less than those of male graduates. College-educated African American women earn only $1,500 more than white male high school graduates.

    Read More

  • Conflict Theory Essay

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    Another target populations, has been the “glass ceiling,” or invisible barrier, that keeps women and minorities from attaining top jobs. While the ideal of equal opportunity is espoused, it is far from a reality. Women and minorities continue to “peak out” at a low level of management. Kelborn (1995) (pg.

    Read More

  • Black Women In The 21st Century Essay

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history, society is in a constant stage of development and change which is exemplified through laws surrounding same sex marriage, immigration, and issues of human rights in regards to race, status, or class that contribute to society’s advancement. Focusing specifically on Western Society, we have improved significantly in relation to wars, slavery, and segregation; yet scholars and political activists argue that segregation and racism against minorities is still prominent in the 21st century. Indeed, the primary focus for this argument will be around the identities of Black Women in the past and present. Even more so, it is clear that in society Black Women’s identities are constantly marginalized within the law and society in

    Read More

  • Inequality In The Workplace

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    For many decades, women have faced inequalities in the workforce. At one point, they were not allowed to work at all. Although women's rights have improved and are now able to work alongside men, they are still treated unfairly. According to the 2012 U.S. Census, women’s earnings were “76.5 percent of men’s” (1). In 2012, men, on average, earned $47,398 and women earned only $35,791. This is when comparing employees where both gender spend the same amount of time working. Not only do women encounter unfairness in work pay, they also face a “glass ceiling” on a promotional basis. This glass ceiling is a “promotion barrier that prevents woman’s upward ability” (2). For example, if a woman is able to enter a job traditionally for men, she will still not receive the same pay or experience the same increase in occupational ability. Gender typing plays a huge role in the workplace. It is the idea that women tend to hold jobs that are low paid with low status. Women are not highly considered in leadership positions because of social construction of gender. Society has given women the role of “caretakers” and sensitive individuals. Therefore, women are not depicted as authoritative figures, which is apparent with the absence of women in leadership roles in companies. Furthermore, sex segregation leads to occupations with either the emphasis of women in a certain job or men in a certain job. In 2009, occupations with the highest proportion of women included “secretary, child care worker, hair dresser, cashier, bookkeeper, etc.” (3). Male workers typically held job positions as construction workers, truck drivers, taxi drivers, etc. (3). Sex segregation represents inequality because the gender composition for these jobs depends on what ...

    Read More

  • Racism In The Workplace Essay

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    Racism has been a problem since before you and I were born. Racism in the workplace can cause lowered pay, aggressive behavior, and overall bad feeling in the minds of the person affected. This can become bad for the employer and society. Racism still plays a part in certain workplaces when it comes to people getting the job that they would like. Learning how to deal with racism during these situations can also be challenging. When looking for a job, you would want a job that is going to treat you equality and fairness as everyone else. Racism in the workplace has caused many problems in different ethnic groups.

    Read More

More about African American Women In The Workplace Essay

Open Document