@ Ms Poornakala
With reference to your post on driving and pooling transport with a male colleague is not a challenge faced in the corporate world. This is a simple grapevine situation which everyone faces, males and females.
@ Readers
Regarding challenges faced by females, why woes of females are highlighted, everyone in this world are fighting their struggles against some kind of challenge, discrimination, ability, racism, financially, physically or mentally.
So grow up, face it, fight it, live it. If females are outstanding performers, it will shine out, and results will be seen. In corporate worlds, results are noticed and appreciated or otherwise only when cash flows are affected. when an employee makes a difference to the real business, irrespective whether that person is male or female.
So go out in the sun, put your feet on the ground and make sales, Work extra hours, as other male counterparts chip in, rather than, putting up female advantage, " Oh I have to go home early, its unsafe", "I m a family person", "oh I have to attend so and so function its so important", " I can’t go door to door doing sales", " HR is a good profession for females, sit in the office and work 9 - 6" etc etc ..
These observations are out of my limited experience, and by no means I intend to generalize this observations on all female workers. There are fine outstanding examples of females or males have faced challenges and came out shining.
The topic of this post is "Challenges faced by Women in the Corporate World" what are so special challenges faced by woman that requires such thoughtful review.
Discrimination or biased towards promotions?
As I mentioned earlier, perform and perform, then one will be noticed when it reflects on the real business, every employee has to struggle to get her / his work noticed and earn the credits for work done. And if there is discrimination or favoritism practiced in the organization then no one is spared , be it males or females.
Male Ego, not letting women rise up corporate ladder ? (Glass ceiling)
Today’s times are changing, there is information awareness everywhere, I have seen dramatic changes in male thinking towards women, today fathers take pride when daughters are earning, husbands are supporting working wives by domestics chores, brothers support their sisters when it comes to making a choice of life partner to careers. At work place, male or females are majorly considered for their abilities to perform the task. I have worked under female manager, and she was fabulous at managing business and she rose up in the corporate with her ability to exceed sales target and put the hardwork as equal as any other colleague.
If females feel that, male egos at the top management are not letting women rise, is because, they are not challenged enough, everyone is struggling against promotions and earn credits for the hardwork. So if management has ego hassles, everyone is at the receiving end. Not only women !
Men feel threatened by women rising in power ?
This is possibly true, but its moreover a human nature trait, few kinds who gets the taste of power, starts behaving arrogant or forms a superiority complex against others, be it males or females, moreover due to centuries of male and female conditioning.
In today’s time as females are rising in power, they flaunt it just like any other male would also do, but this is not accepted or its frowned upon by men as in the changing society, this is slowly sinking in. Also when females are bestowed with power and position, the attitude changes, and there is a sense of superiority in other walks of life, I have seen typical examples in life such as :
“ I earn so n so much, at so n so position with so n so brand company uh!! uh !!”
In
Marriage alliance,
General Friend Circles
Dominance in the household.
When a male is earning so n so much, at so n so position with so n so brand company , it is considered normal and acceptable by everyone as males are supposed to be naturally meant or born for this kind of arrangement, but when women gets this kind of arrangements, then suddenly its an achievement for women as they are oppressed and rose against extra challenges faced by them as compared to males.
I feel all human kinds are equal, any two individuals be it male or female, having received equal opportunities and abilities face challenges and either they face it or they loose it. it all depends on their mental strength.
There are no such challenges Specially for women, specially created by Males as perceived, when males face hard times, they are suppose to be tough and face it. and when women face the same, suddenly it’s a challenge everyone should talk about and fight for reservations, concessions, women rights, etc etc ..
Thanks for reading, feedback is welcome.
Hussain
From Kuwait, Salmiya
27With reference to your post on driving and pooling transport with a male colleague is not a challenge faced in the corporate world. This is a simple grapevine situation which everyone faces, males and females.
@ Readers
Regarding challenges faced by females, why woes of females are highlighted, everyone in this world are fighting their struggles against some kind of challenge, discrimination, ability, racism, financially, physically or mentally.
So grow up, face it, fight it, live it. If females are outstanding performers, it will shine out, and results will be seen. In corporate worlds, results are noticed and appreciated or otherwise only when cash flows are affected. when an employee makes a difference to the real business, irrespective whether that person is male or female.
So go out in the sun, put your feet on the ground and make sales, Work extra hours, as other male counterparts chip in, rather than, putting up female advantage, " Oh I have to go home early, its unsafe", "I m a family person", "oh I have to attend so and so function its so important", " I can’t go door to door doing sales", " HR is a good profession for females, sit in the office and work 9 - 6" etc etc ..
These observations are out of my limited experience, and by no means I intend to generalize this observations on all female workers. There are fine outstanding examples of females or males have faced challenges and came out shining.
The topic of this post is "Challenges faced by Women in the Corporate World" what are so special challenges faced by woman that requires such thoughtful review.
Discrimination or biased towards promotions?
As I mentioned earlier, perform and perform, then one will be noticed when it reflects on the real business, every employee has to struggle to get her / his work noticed and earn the credits for work done. And if there is discrimination or favoritism practiced in the organization then no one is spared , be it males or females.
Male Ego, not letting women rise up corporate ladder ? (Glass ceiling)
Today’s times are changing, there is information awareness everywhere, I have seen dramatic changes in male thinking towards women, today fathers take pride when daughters are earning, husbands are supporting working wives by domestics chores, brothers support their sisters when it comes to making a choice of life partner to careers. At work place, male or females are majorly considered for their abilities to perform the task. I have worked under female manager, and she was fabulous at managing business and she rose up in the corporate with her ability to exceed sales target and put the hardwork as equal as any other colleague.
If females feel that, male egos at the top management are not letting women rise, is because, they are not challenged enough, everyone is struggling against promotions and earn credits for the hardwork. So if management has ego hassles, everyone is at the receiving end. Not only women !
Men feel threatened by women rising in power ?
This is possibly true, but its moreover a human nature trait, few kinds who gets the taste of power, starts behaving arrogant or forms a superiority complex against others, be it males or females, moreover due to centuries of male and female conditioning.
In today’s time as females are rising in power, they flaunt it just like any other male would also do, but this is not accepted or its frowned upon by men as in the changing society, this is slowly sinking in. Also when females are bestowed with power and position, the attitude changes, and there is a sense of superiority in other walks of life, I have seen typical examples in life such as :
“ I earn so n so much, at so n so position with so n so brand company uh!! uh !!”
In
Marriage alliance,
General Friend Circles
Dominance in the household.
When a male is earning so n so much, at so n so position with so n so brand company , it is considered normal and acceptable by everyone as males are supposed to be naturally meant or born for this kind of arrangement, but when women gets this kind of arrangements, then suddenly its an achievement for women as they are oppressed and rose against extra challenges faced by them as compared to males.
I feel all human kinds are equal, any two individuals be it male or female, having received equal opportunities and abilities face challenges and either they face it or they loose it. it all depends on their mental strength.
There are no such challenges Specially for women, specially created by Males as perceived, when males face hard times, they are suppose to be tough and face it. and when women face the same, suddenly it’s a challenge everyone should talk about and fight for reservations, concessions, women rights, etc etc ..
Thanks for reading, feedback is welcome.
Hussain
From Kuwait, Salmiya
Dear Hussain,
That's really nice work and observations.
A few contradicts from my side:
In today’s world female are opting for other streams as well like sales, finance, event management and as mentioned by you HR. All these functions required hard work and dedication. You cannot say that HR is 9-6 job and sales job is not abide by office timing. Every job has their own requirement and share of commitments levels.
Females have to balance both Office & home and that’s why it’s important for them to be there at home on time for their children and other dependents. There are few safety related issues, which you will also agree, that females has to keep in their mind while working.
Facing all these small issues and maintaining that required balance between Home and Office females these days are doing excellent.
As you correctly mentioned at the end it’s your performance and dedication which makes you shine.
Regards
Shree
A few contradicts from my side
From India, Hyderabad
That's really nice work and observations.
A few contradicts from my side:
In today’s world female are opting for other streams as well like sales, finance, event management and as mentioned by you HR. All these functions required hard work and dedication. You cannot say that HR is 9-6 job and sales job is not abide by office timing. Every job has their own requirement and share of commitments levels.
Females have to balance both Office & home and that’s why it’s important for them to be there at home on time for their children and other dependents. There are few safety related issues, which you will also agree, that females has to keep in their mind while working.
Facing all these small issues and maintaining that required balance between Home and Office females these days are doing excellent.
As you correctly mentioned at the end it’s your performance and dedication which makes you shine.
Regards
Shree
A few contradicts from my side
From India, Hyderabad
[QUOTE=sunny30sunny30;1533008] "Challenges faced by Women in the Corporate World"
Yes the topic you shared is interesting...and strange facts are that most women in corporate world are facing harasment by men dominated world.............I dont know why men believe that they can do every thing and not females ruling the corporate sector.
From India, Allahabad
Yes the topic you shared is interesting...and strange facts are that most women in corporate world are facing harasment by men dominated world.............I dont know why men believe that they can do every thing and not females ruling the corporate sector.
From India, Allahabad
Hi Hussain,
Thanks for spicing it up. I dont think professionals (men and women) compromise on their output because of time schedules. It may be 5pm, but its 5pm for all professionals. Maybe somewhere in the govt sector, the 9 to 5 applies blind foldedly. But in that case, this syndrome applies to the men as well.
Dina has hit it bullseye. Its the home front that is the biggest challenge. Whether men like it or not the fact is that even today, atleast in India, its the woman's responsibility to keep the house running and in ship shape. Whether she is working or not, is not the criteria. I know just a couple of men who help out equally at home. Pls dont think this is a complaint. Its just an expression of facts.
Another challenge that woman face is the 'eye candy' syndrome. Usually a good looking woman, is either a target by her boss or some numbskull who considers them 'worth a chase'. Ironically some women who have chosen the less moral way of climbing the ladder have added to this chain reaction.
Another challenge is in being a woman. If a woman stays back late, people gossip that she is neglecting her home;if she is pally with her boss, she is surely having an affair; if she dresses up well then people gossip that she is useless in her work and hence has to resort to dressing up well as a cover up.
Please dont think this is the extract of just another 'forward mail' or a saucy book. I have witnessed enough incidents to substantiate my claims. And not in any ordinary organisation, but highlisters in fortune 500,
On a brighter note, i have many friends (women, professionals) who have not gone though any of these challenges. Thank God.
At the end of the day, performance counts: at work, at home, with kids, with in-laws...............:)
My statements are not to hurt the sentiments of the readers. Just an expression of facts.
Regards
From India, Visakhapatnam
Thanks for spicing it up. I dont think professionals (men and women) compromise on their output because of time schedules. It may be 5pm, but its 5pm for all professionals. Maybe somewhere in the govt sector, the 9 to 5 applies blind foldedly. But in that case, this syndrome applies to the men as well.
Dina has hit it bullseye. Its the home front that is the biggest challenge. Whether men like it or not the fact is that even today, atleast in India, its the woman's responsibility to keep the house running and in ship shape. Whether she is working or not, is not the criteria. I know just a couple of men who help out equally at home. Pls dont think this is a complaint. Its just an expression of facts.
Another challenge that woman face is the 'eye candy' syndrome. Usually a good looking woman, is either a target by her boss or some numbskull who considers them 'worth a chase'. Ironically some women who have chosen the less moral way of climbing the ladder have added to this chain reaction.
Another challenge is in being a woman. If a woman stays back late, people gossip that she is neglecting her home;if she is pally with her boss, she is surely having an affair; if she dresses up well then people gossip that she is useless in her work and hence has to resort to dressing up well as a cover up.
Please dont think this is the extract of just another 'forward mail' or a saucy book. I have witnessed enough incidents to substantiate my claims. And not in any ordinary organisation, but highlisters in fortune 500,
On a brighter note, i have many friends (women, professionals) who have not gone though any of these challenges. Thank God.
At the end of the day, performance counts: at work, at home, with kids, with in-laws...............:)
My statements are not to hurt the sentiments of the readers. Just an expression of facts.
Regards
From India, Visakhapatnam
Hi Ninpins
With reference to your response, I agree that, all fingers are not same, and I did mention in my post that, this is not a generalized opinion about women in general, but rather for those who take this “Challenges women face in corporate world” as limiting barrier to growth rather than sincere effort to rise up.
I appreciate the forum to showcase problems faced by women in life or in corporate, but this challenges are natural occurrence of life and situations, rather than generalize it on males to be responsible for such plights..
Taking care of a home, yes thats a valid reason, and I feel it’s the responsibility of both men and women to make a home. How they divide the work its on man and wife to decide. If women is burdened with lots of house work, then its her personal problem to sort out with her family or personal partner, this is not a corporate challenge. Whether its india or amreeka, priorities remains the same, why women are bestowed with title of home makers, isn’t man involved in making a home too, its not anyone’s domain, its has to be both, it’s a team work. If its not happening practically in india now, then it shall happen as and how there is awareness. With changing times, situations are changings, but the one who dares, one who has the ability and one who has the will doesn’t wait for the time to change .. they change the time .. ! Im talking about likes of women such as - Emile Earhart, Rosa Parks, Indira Gandhi, Annie Basant, Sudha Murthy, Indra Nooyi, Leela Poonawala, Anu Aga, and many more, who have worked against odds and made it big.
The eye Candy Syndrome, Pally with Boss Rumours, Neglecting family and Fancy Dressing, this are more of social challenges women face rather than being only in corporate, This kind of attitude towards women stem out of personal bias and prejudice, and social gossip. Infact this issues are faced by anyone. Irrespective of gender, this are usally office grapevine social gossip, which happens in everywhere in social circles as well, however its wrong and demeaning towards women or anyone who is subject to such wrong accusations. My point is that this challenges are also faced by men:
Any hardworking person is criticized or mocked by the ones who are lazy in the office, If one likes it or not, a simple smiling gestures are construed wrong by onlookers depending on their perceptions.
This are existent challenges in the society which everyone faces, men and women, so why consider plight of women to be more painful and worth a thought. This challenges in general as such are to be given serious education and awareness, so that, no one faces bias and discrimination whatsoever.
If pretty looking girl is picked for a job, overlooking required specification for a job, that is acceptable to the female, but when she is rejected by another biased outlook, it’s a corporate challenge ! and women find it tough to resolve.
Real corporate challenges in climbing the promotion ladder are : meeting deadlines, exceeding targets, work life balance, office politics, economic factors, recognition of efforts and results. Etc, applicable to both men and women, or rather I say professionals.
Anyone who has the will to face it has the might to fight it.
Refer to the post, Men are Beasts of Burden, a very good article worth a read related to this discussion.
Thanks
Hussain
From Kuwait, Salmiya
With reference to your response, I agree that, all fingers are not same, and I did mention in my post that, this is not a generalized opinion about women in general, but rather for those who take this “Challenges women face in corporate world” as limiting barrier to growth rather than sincere effort to rise up.
I appreciate the forum to showcase problems faced by women in life or in corporate, but this challenges are natural occurrence of life and situations, rather than generalize it on males to be responsible for such plights..
Taking care of a home, yes thats a valid reason, and I feel it’s the responsibility of both men and women to make a home. How they divide the work its on man and wife to decide. If women is burdened with lots of house work, then its her personal problem to sort out with her family or personal partner, this is not a corporate challenge. Whether its india or amreeka, priorities remains the same, why women are bestowed with title of home makers, isn’t man involved in making a home too, its not anyone’s domain, its has to be both, it’s a team work. If its not happening practically in india now, then it shall happen as and how there is awareness. With changing times, situations are changings, but the one who dares, one who has the ability and one who has the will doesn’t wait for the time to change .. they change the time .. ! Im talking about likes of women such as - Emile Earhart, Rosa Parks, Indira Gandhi, Annie Basant, Sudha Murthy, Indra Nooyi, Leela Poonawala, Anu Aga, and many more, who have worked against odds and made it big.
The eye Candy Syndrome, Pally with Boss Rumours, Neglecting family and Fancy Dressing, this are more of social challenges women face rather than being only in corporate, This kind of attitude towards women stem out of personal bias and prejudice, and social gossip. Infact this issues are faced by anyone. Irrespective of gender, this are usally office grapevine social gossip, which happens in everywhere in social circles as well, however its wrong and demeaning towards women or anyone who is subject to such wrong accusations. My point is that this challenges are also faced by men:
Any hardworking person is criticized or mocked by the ones who are lazy in the office, If one likes it or not, a simple smiling gestures are construed wrong by onlookers depending on their perceptions.
This are existent challenges in the society which everyone faces, men and women, so why consider plight of women to be more painful and worth a thought. This challenges in general as such are to be given serious education and awareness, so that, no one faces bias and discrimination whatsoever.
If pretty looking girl is picked for a job, overlooking required specification for a job, that is acceptable to the female, but when she is rejected by another biased outlook, it’s a corporate challenge ! and women find it tough to resolve.
Real corporate challenges in climbing the promotion ladder are : meeting deadlines, exceeding targets, work life balance, office politics, economic factors, recognition of efforts and results. Etc, applicable to both men and women, or rather I say professionals.
Anyone who has the will to face it has the might to fight it.
Refer to the post, Men are Beasts of Burden, a very good article worth a read related to this discussion.
Thanks
Hussain
From Kuwait, Salmiya
Hi,
I feel the same challenges in my present organisation..Being a very talented & qualified for the post I am presently working on my manager is still not providing me an on roll position.It is all because i am unable to work late in office like other male colleauges & show my presence & work dedication.
I feel the same challenges in my present organisation..Being a very talented & qualified for the post I am presently working on my manager is still not providing me an on roll position.It is all because i am unable to work late in office like other male colleauges & show my presence & work dedication.
Hi All,
One of the main challenge that women face is that not many are able to take assignments which warrants them to spend extra hours or odd hours in office. This eventually leads to be a barrier in their growth.
Thanks
Swapnil
From India
One of the main challenge that women face is that not many are able to take assignments which warrants them to spend extra hours or odd hours in office. This eventually leads to be a barrier in their growth.
Thanks
Swapnil
From India
Helo guys, i have gone through the discussion and found it very nice,its good to share different experiences and thoughts cracking somebody's head somewhere for the benefit of all.The topic is quite good,people should get to know that women and children are considered to be vulnerable group in most of the world challenges that's why i think the concern has been raised to address the matter and provoked us/scholars for serious debate on the same.
I can trace the problem at hand from the social/religious and cultural theories and practices of which its difficult at some point to totally compare women and men to be the same or different on the other hand.
The fact is that there are so many cases which demonstrates how women are undermined in the corporates and other forms of institutions,its my wish to have had time and at least present some few cases on the violation and or malpractices against women.
Considering your ideas,am of the opinion that the challenges and or even problems faced by women in the corporates emanates from non-adherence to the laws of the land.Should managers and every employee in the organization be well acquainted with the laws specifically those governing their relationship with employers,many of the addressed problems shall have no space like famously discrimination which is the root of many challenges spoken in here. For instance we can not say that women can not work at certain hours,the question should be what does the law says?we cant say women are not developed in the organization while the organization has well articulated HRM policies on training and development and the law requires equal opportunity for all from the recruitment stage and at working life in the organization. Many employees in corporates are not aware of their legal rights as a result crying and dying silently-the voices unheard no matter how they shout. Obvious, the basic fear many hold is the loosing of job and the perceived unfairness in the courts of justice supplemented by financial capacity.Corporates are registered and legally recognized business institutions which are not only socially bound to follow the laws of the land they are operating from but also manage its human resources with dignity and respect to the pro-founded and worldly practiced human rights. Insights have been given from the Constitution and the labor laws.
From Uganda, Kampala
I can trace the problem at hand from the social/religious and cultural theories and practices of which its difficult at some point to totally compare women and men to be the same or different on the other hand.
The fact is that there are so many cases which demonstrates how women are undermined in the corporates and other forms of institutions,its my wish to have had time and at least present some few cases on the violation and or malpractices against women.
Considering your ideas,am of the opinion that the challenges and or even problems faced by women in the corporates emanates from non-adherence to the laws of the land.Should managers and every employee in the organization be well acquainted with the laws specifically those governing their relationship with employers,many of the addressed problems shall have no space like famously discrimination which is the root of many challenges spoken in here. For instance we can not say that women can not work at certain hours,the question should be what does the law says?we cant say women are not developed in the organization while the organization has well articulated HRM policies on training and development and the law requires equal opportunity for all from the recruitment stage and at working life in the organization. Many employees in corporates are not aware of their legal rights as a result crying and dying silently-the voices unheard no matter how they shout. Obvious, the basic fear many hold is the loosing of job and the perceived unfairness in the courts of justice supplemented by financial capacity.Corporates are registered and legally recognized business institutions which are not only socially bound to follow the laws of the land they are operating from but also manage its human resources with dignity and respect to the pro-founded and worldly practiced human rights. Insights have been given from the Constitution and the labor laws.
From Uganda, Kampala
As a Corporate Trainer & Counsellor, the most important challenge is the timing for coporate women. That too Indian Family system demands more time at home in order to nurture the family. In spite of having maids and cooks, the family/society expects the presence of women makes important.
Community Support and Knowledge-base on business, career and organisational prospects and issues - Register and Log In to CiteHR and post your query, download formats and be part of a fostered community of professionals.
THE CHALLENGES BEING FACED.doc
[FFO] How to impress Men & Women!!!.zip