Sex Stereotyping

If sex stereotyping is a factor in promotion and compensation decisions at your workplace (for example, if, as a woman, you are told your appearance or demeanor is "too masculine," or that you should wear more makeup or be more deferential), you may have cause to bring a discrimination claim against your employer.

Proving that an employer's criteria for advancement are inconsistently applied to men and women remains a challenge for women in corporate America. The plaintiff must prove that one of these general types of discrimination exists in her workplace:

• Disparate treatment, such as paying women less than men, firing a woman for an infraction that a man is not disciplined for, or not considering women for employment
• Policies or practices that perpetuate past discrimination, such as a seniority system that was established when overt discrimination against women was the custom, resulting in a lack of women with seniority
• Policies or practices that have adverse effects on a protected group, such as a selection system that uses subjective criteria and results in qualified women being passed over

Mehlman TerBeek LLP can advise you on the legal aspects of such a claim and represent you in court if necessary. To speak to an experienced attorney about your case, call our office at 925-935-3575 today.