Challenges Female Executives Face Essay Example

Introduction

The female executive may face cases of sexual harassment from fellow workers. Sexual harassment refers to undesired sexual advances, which have disadvantaging consequences if one refuses. It may consist actions of individuals or a group repeatedly sending messages or unwanted gifts to a woman (Fitzgerald, 1993). In the workplace, top officials sexually coerce women, while threatening to fire or demote them if they refuse to cooperate. Additionally, she may face gender harassment in meetings and workshops. In this case, other male executives may make belittling jokes to magnify her incompetence because she is a woman.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Carly Fiorina-an American businessperson and politician-claims that a male counterpart sexually harassed her while she was a salesperson at AT&T Company. The man had lied to the entire office that they had engaged in sex despite Fiorina escaping to her hotel room to avoid the ordeal (Shuler, 2003). The man kept calling her throughout the night, which angered her more. At work, other employees resented her until she explained to them what had occurred. Luckily, they believed her.

Secondly, pay inequality is a significant challenge for women in management. According to Shuler (2003), despite women attaining additional education, gaining more experience and skills, and working for extended hours, they still receive low wages than their male counterparts (Gini, 1998). Notably, they earn a portion of the men's. The rates of pay may be similar in both genders, while the actual earnings differ. Men are exposed to salary packages that have more benefits to than that of women.

Thirdly, she would face the work-life-balance challenge. Typically, women handle motherly and house chores, such as raising children and cooking for their families (Gini, 1998). Noticeably, most executive positions are time demanding and may involve travel. The situation creates an obstacle since women they have to balance or choose between their jobs and family life. Additionally, she may face career interruptions due to cases of child rearing or childbirth.

Fourthly, discriminatory culture in the organization may affect her ability to capitalize on social capital. The political and cultural values of a region determine women's position in the society (Gini, 1998). Therefore, she may face cultural issues in Mexico since the country has a different culture with the US. Gender segregation may prevent her from pursuing career advancements or lack friends in the workplace.

Ways to prepare her for the challenges

The employee should undertake psychological mentorship and training to allow her to overcome cases of sexual harassments. Sexual violence has a long-lasting emotional trauma on victims, which may affect their work (Shuler, 2003). However, if women have the right emotional composure, they will be able to tackle the challenges without mental breakdowns.

Secondly, she needs to be aware of her job status and lobby for her revision of her work contract. The situation will enable her to be mindful of the correct salary for her new profession. Notably, the agreement would be a legal binding to prevent her from exploitation such as receiving low wages than other employees in her level. Thirdly, the employee should study and be conversant with Mexico's culture to avoid a cultural clash in the country (Shuler, 2003). Adequate knowledge will enable her to interact with other people within the confinements of their ethnic heritage without any conflict.

How to Overcome the Challenges

To maneuver the obstacles, the female executive should be conversant with her rights as an employee. The phenomena will enable her to identify cases of discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace (Gini, 1998). Significantly, she should be courageous and tackle the challenges promptly when they arise. For instance, she can report cases of sexual harassment to the company's human resource manager or local authorities.

References

Fitzgerald, L. F. (1993). Sexual harassment: Violence against women in the workplace. American Psychologist, 48(10), 1070.

Gini, A. (1998). Women in the workplace. Business and Society Review, 99(1), 3-17.

Shuler, S. (2003). Breaking through the glass ceiling without breaking a nail: women executives in Fortune Magazine's" Power 50" list. American Communication Journal, 6(2), 1-26.