Many women face issues at work that they don’t discuss. This is partly because it feels awkward to bring them up, and partly because they just want to get through the day. Yet some of these “little” things aren’t so little at all, whether it’s because they’re outdated or simply illegal. Here are 18 things that some women tolerate at work, but they really shouldn’t.
Illegal Family-Planning Questions in Interviews
During an interview, some interviewers think it’s okay to ask female candidates if they’re planning on having kids. But no. That’s not a legitimate or legal question, as they’re supposed to stick to job-related stuff only. Questions about your family plans or marital status are illegal in the United States. If an interviewer asks you these, you should try pivoting and answering about your availability instead
Pumping Breaks and Space Treated as Optional
Some companies act as though finding a place to pump milk is a “bonus” when it’s really not. Most workplaces have to give you break time and a private space that’s not a bathroom stall to do it. As such, a company should never make it sound like they’re doing you a favor. These breaks are legally protected in most roles, and your employers should treat them as such.
Dress Codes with Extra Burdens on Women
A dress code that demands women wear heels or makeup but lets men get away with basic slacks and shoes is unequal treatment. Of course, it’s fine to have professional standards. But these should be the same across the board, and one group shouldn’t have extra rules just because of their gender. It’s not right. And it’s illegal.
Natural Hair Policies That Target Black Women
Rules against braids, locs, twists, or afros often affect Black women the most. That’s why in many states, those policies are illegal under the CROWN Act. As long as you have a hairstyle that’s neat and clean, it should be fine. Nobody, male or female, should have to chemically straighten or change their natural hair just to keep their job.
PPE That Doesn’t Fit Women’s Bodies
A lot of safety gear is often made for bigger, broader male frames, which means that it doesn’t fit women properly. And that’s as dangerous as it is annoying. Ill-fitting gloves and harnesses can make the job harder and less safe. Your employer is supposed to provide equipment that actually fits every person wearing it. It shouldn’t simply be the “closest” men’s size, but rather, one made for women.
No Real Pregnancy Accommodations Offered
Being pregnant and working shouldn’t be that difficult, but for some women, it is. Asking for simple things like a stool or extra water breaks, perhaps even a shift change, isn’t like asking for special treatment. Employers are supposed to consider reasonable adjustments, unless they’d cause a huge problem for the business. Giving a flat-out “no” without discussion isn’t fair. It’s also not how it’s meant to work.
Male-Only Venues for Client Access
It sounds weird, but some companies host work dinners or client meetings at men-only clubs. Yes, really. These automatically cut women out of important conversations, and it doesn’t matter if it’s “tradition,” such events are still discriminatory. Businesses could easily choose a venue where everyone’s welcome. Not doing so means they’re essentially handing opportunities to one group over the other, which is all kinds of wrong.
“Office Housework” Handed to Women by Default
It’s such a shame that the note-taking and coffee runs always seem to land on women’s laps in some places. Don’t get us started on birthday cake duty. Unless it’s in your actual job description, these tasks can and should be shared around. A rotating schedule is much fairer. It also stops these invisible extras from eating into your real work time, leaving you more time to, y’know, actually do your assigned work.
Miscarriage Recovery Ignored as a Medical Need
It’s no secret that a miscarriage is physically and emotionally draining for a woman. Unfortunately, some workplaces act like it’s not a medical issue when it really is. Recovery falls under pregnancy-related conditions. As such, you could be entitled to time off or lighter duties, and you don’t have to just push through without any support. Give yourself some time to recover.
Time Off Blocked for Prenatal Care
Prenatal checkups aren’t simply “nice to have,” and they’re medical appointments like any other. In workplaces with health insurance coverage, these visits fall under job-protected leave, and that means that companies shouldn’t block that time without offering alternatives. Make sure you tell your boss in advance, and perhaps put it in writing, to keep it on the books. That’s fair.
Reviews That Fixate on “Tone” and “Likability”
Nobody likes a performance review, but these tend to be harder for women. Rather than focusing on results, some of these reviews focus on telling women to soften their tone or be more likable. But these vague comments aren’t tied to actual work goals. They’re just telling a woman that she needs to behave in a certain way to be acceptable. It’s not unreasonable to ask for feedback that matches the same measurable standards everyone else gets.
“Fetal Protection” Rules and Pregnancy Tests
Some jobs have tried banning pregnant women from certain roles for the safety of the baby, and they also ask women to take a pregnancy test before being hired. But courts have ruled against blanket bans like this. It’s up to the worker to decide if they want to take the position, not the company. The job should be based on skill instead of gender assumptions.
Company Swag Made Only in Men’s Sizes
Getting a free work hoodie is nice, until you realize that it fits like a blanket. A lot of workplaces still order gear only in men’s cuts, and that means that half the team ends up with sleeves down to their knees. It’s not hard to offer options that actually fit everyone. Seriously. Female employees shouldn’t have to deal with it, and companies should consider them whenever ordering attire.
No Coverage for Menopause-Related Care
Unfortunately, plenty of work health insurance plans act like menopause isn’t a genuine health issue, when it really is. They’ll skip coverage for treatments or even the doctor visits that go with it, and this leaves women paying for prescriptions or specialist care on their own. Quickly looking through the benefits booklet can show what’s missing. That’s the first step to getting it added.
No Separate Locker Rooms in Male-Dominated Worksites
Some workspaces don’t have a place for women to change their clothes or store their personal stuff, and instead, they have just a corner behind a curtain. Or worse, they might only have a shared space with men, and that’s not exactly a professional setup. It makes basic hygiene routines much more awkward than they need to be. A proper, lockable locker room shouldn’t be a luxury.
Gag Clauses and Forced Arbitration on Harassment
Any fine-print agreements that prevent you from talking about harassment aren’t enforceable anymore. In fact, federal law now says you can take harassment or assault claims to court, even if you signed something that said otherwise. The idea that you have to handle these issues internally isn’t legal anymore, so don’t feel like you have to.
Hair and Makeup Comments Framed as “Friendly Advice”
Plenty of women have had coworkers tell them they’d “look more awake” with lipstick or that their hair would “look better” a certain way. But it doesn’t matter how helpful they pretend these comments are. These put a woman’s appearance in the spotlight when the focus should be on the work being done. Unless style is part of the job description, it’s not up for review, and coworkers, male or female, shouldn’t be talking about another employee’s appearance.
Being Interrupted Mid-Sentence in Meetings
As a woman is halfway through explaining an idea, she can guarantee that someone will jump in as though she weren’t speaking at all. Such behavior isn’t simply rude. It erases her input completely if no one goes back to her original point. Women in such a situation should continue until they’re finished, and their colleagues should avoid this from happening by saying things like “I’d like to hear her finish.” This stops such behavior from becoming a repeat habit.
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If your job’s draining the life from your soul and you can’t even quite pinpoint why—this list might hit a little too close to home. These sneaky signs won’t scream warning, but trust us, they’re eating away at the atmosphere from the inside out.
21 Sneaky Signs Your Boss Is Creating a Toxic Culture
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