In the era of #metoo and #timesup, many men have stepped up to the plate, passing the mic to women, amplifying their voices and believing them.
It’s also left men re-evaluating how they interact with women, and in many ways, that’s a good thing. But it seems some men are confused about how to interact with women in a way that’s appropriate.
Leanin.org released a survey that said 60% of managers who identify as men are uncomfortable participating in a common work activity with a woman, such as mentoring, working alone, or socializing together – a 32% jump from the previous year.
60%. More than half!
This “discomfort” hurts women in the workplace. Studies show that people who are mentored receive higher compensation and have more job satisfaction. So when bosses withdraw from women and work activities involving women, it hurts hurts women and sets them back in the workplace.
And we’re already at a disadvantage when it comes to compensation.
Is it that difficult to act appropriately toward women? Just treat them with the same respect you would show a male colleague.
Withdrawing from women instead of evaluating your actions and committing to do better is just a sad way to approach things. If you aren’t sure how to act toward your female colleagues, you could do something really wild and ask them how they would like to be treated.
My guess is that they might want something crazy like respect and inclusion. To be trusted with important projects. To have their voices heard at meetings, and, when they are ignored, to have someone amplify their voice and credit their ideas.
Seriously. It’s not that hard to be a decent human.
