Women in California and throughout the country may feel as if they are discriminated against in the workplace. That was one of the finding of a Pew Research poll of 4,914 adults conducted during July and August 2017. Specifically, 42 percent of respondents said that they were passed over for a job in favor of a male worker or paid less than a male worker in a similar position.
This was 20 points higher than male workers who took part in the poll. Roughly 25 percent of women said that they were discriminated against specifically because they earned less than a man. This was compared to 5 percent of men who reported making less than a woman in a similar job. In addition to gaps in pay, women were more likely than men to say that they were not supported by those in power where they worked.
Both genders were equally likely to say that sexual harassment was a problem where they worked. However, women were more likely to report that they were victims of it at work. Women were just as likely to report being a victim of sexual harassment regardless of their race, ethnicity or level of education. It was also roughly the same regardless of what political party a woman may have supported.
Employment law generally requires that men and women are treated equally in the workplace. Those who have been treated differently based on gender may have grounds for legal action against an employer. Individuals who pursue claims may be able to settle them outside of court or through a formal trial. If successful, victims of harassment or workplace discrimination might be entitled to back pay or other compensation lost because of an illegal action taken by an employer.
