Gender inequality in the medical workplace
While the number of women in medicine has been steadily increasing, respect and equality for women in the profession continue to lag.
The medical staffing company CompHealth recently surveyed more than 700 physicians on a range of workplace issues and found that women are far more likely to experience and witness instances of harassment, discrimination and even violence than are men.Here are some of the key findings.
More women than men experience sexual harassment.
Women subjected to sexual remarks: 77%
Men subjected to sexual remarks: 48%
Women subjected to unwanted touching: 37%
Men subjected to unwanted touching: 20%
Women subjected to persistent and unwanted sexual invitations: 25%
Men subjected to persistent and unwanted sexual invitations: 15%
Women are far more likely than men to witness negative treatment of women in the workplace.
Women who’ve witnessed discrimination very often/often 49%
Men who’ve witnessed discrimination very often/often: 16%
Women who’ve witnessed sexual harassment of women very often/often: 29%
Men who’ve witnessed sexual harassment of women very often/often: 13%
Women who’ve witnessed violence against women very often/often: 33%
Men who’ve witnessed violence against women very often/often: 16%
Men and women have widely differing perceptions of respect and gender equality where they work
Men who think men are much/somewhat more respected than women: 21%
Women who think men are much/somewhat more respected than women: 63%
Men who say both genders are respected at their organization: 54%
Women who say both genders are respected at their organization: 27%
Women physicians reported lower levels of annual income compared to men
Men earning $0-$199,999: 28%
Women earning $0-$199,999: 45%
Men earning $200,000-$399,999: 52%
Women earning $200,000-$399,999: 45%
Men earning $400,000-$599,999: 15%
Women earning $400,000-$599,999: 8%
Women are more likely to make career sacrifices for family/child care
Women who’ve reduced work hours: 46%
Men who’ve reduced work hours: 29%
Women who’ve taken significant time off: 33%
Men who’ve taken significant time off: 24%
Women who’ve switched to part-time work: 33%
Men who’ve switched to part-time work: 17%