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Photo of Michelle Cohen Levy
Photo of Michelle Cohen Levy

Women still underrepresented in STEM fields

On Behalf of | Mar 13, 2020 | Workplace Discrimination |

For years, women in Florida and across the United States have fought for equal representation in the workforce. Though many strides have been made, one place where women still are not represented equally is in the tech industry. Previous studies have noted gender bias and discrimination in this field; recent studies show that bias still exists in STEM.

One study in the United Kingdom polled women who worked in the technology industry. Of those polled, 49% had experienced some form of workplace discrimination, and 20% had resigned from a position in the tech field due to harassment or discrimination. Though most of those polled felt that a lack of diversity in the technology field was an issue, women were more likely to feel this way than men.

Another concern is women in leadership roles in the STEM industry. An estimated 77% of technology director roles are filled by men in the UK. Experts believe that the lack of role models and representation by women in senior roles affects the number of women in the tech field. Encouraging women to fill these roles, offering more flexible schedules and making resumes anonymous may help bridge the gender gap in the tech field.

Though the law prevents employers from discriminating in the workplace, bias still occurs. When a woman is harassed or discriminated against based on her gender, this is known as workplace discrimination. If workplace discrimination occurs, those affected have the right to take a stand by filing a civil suit. For example, a woman who had more experience might have been passed up for a promotion by a man with less experience. This could be because of gender bias. A lawyer may be able to show that a woman was discriminated against by using her work history, and damages might be awarded.