Discrimination in The Work Place

Discrimination in the work place is predominantly gender based. From time immemorial, Man has been the bread winner and the woman, the homemaker. In recent times, with the education of women, there has been a rapid rise in women leaving the house to earn. While this has been applauded by everyone in theory, the reality is that men, at least a major population of men, have not accepted women wholeheartedly in their hitherto, male domain. This is the root cause for discrimination at the work place. Of course, in some places there is racial discrimination which affects people badly. This, however, is a small percentage, especially in India.

The average man from an average household has seen his mother working relentlessly at home, sacrificing her basic needs for the members of the family and never showing dissatisfaction at her plight. He is so used to this concept that anything different from this makes him uncomfortable. Secondly, women who get to work are generally, the striving, dedicated and educated lot who will fare well wherever they go. This reality threatens men. They try making things uncomfortable for the woman in order to break their spirit and then show their own superiority. If a male colleague does better, there may be a pang of jealousy but no resentment but it is not the same when the woman outdoes him. It hurts his ego badly.

Having said that, the situation is not as bad as it was before, as the new generation is taking over. They are above petty gender or race based discrimination. Professionalism is the new mantra. If you prove your worth without taking favors, your effort is recognised and appreciated. This world is changing for the better!