Two years ago, my oldest sister turned 50. I think I was more traumatized than she was. Since then, I’ve given a lot of reflection to growing older. My sister hitting that milestone first was actually a blessing because it affords me plenty of time to think about my life, my work and getting older. I have the luxury of time on my side as I adjust to the reality of reaching the half century mark myself.
Have you heard the story about the gal who was fired from her full-time job as a reporter because she didn’t disclose to her employer that she was a part-time exotic dancer, er stripper? She’s filed a complaint with the EEOC and is suing her former employer for gender discrimination.
Do employers have a right to a life outside of work?
Women, whether we are employed or in the application process, our personal lives tend to matter more than the personal lives of male employees. And, since our online reputation is often an extension (or at least a reflection) of our personal lives, we need to be far more cautious about it than the average man.
So my advice for workers: manage your reputation carefully. Don’t let your Facebook profile be viewed by non-friends and err on the side of disclosing less information online, not more. Conduct a Google search of yourself and try to assess the data out there when applying for any job.
I am proud to recruit for those missions that promote change in the workplace and in our world as we know it. Are you?
It is a sad state when the difference in gender is justification for lower pay, lower responsibilities, and lower prowess. What is sadder still is these differences simply do not exist outside of the mind of the discriminator.