Sexism at work 'just below the surface'

Sexism at work ‘just below the surface’

Today (6/10/08) the Fawcett Society is taking its campaigning underground in order to bring the issue of sexism at work to the surface. Over the next month London Underground stations will play host to eye-catching posters emblazoned with the slogan, ‘Sexism at work: it’s just below the surface’ (2). Commuters will also be greeted by campaigners, one dressed in a rather eye-catching shark costume, as they distribute campaign leaflets outside Westminster underground station (3).

Fawcett has launched the posters and an accompanying briefing, ‘Just Below the Surface’ (4), because despite nearly 40 years of anti-discrimination legislation in the UK, sexism lurks in some of the most common workplace scenarios. Yet far too often it fails to be detected, identified or challenged.

Sexism in UK workplaces lies just below the surface…

…in the office: 16% of men who have access to the internet have viewed pornography at work, and 15% of men have emailed sexual images to colleagues

…during interviews: 52% of employers take into account the chances of a new member of staff becoming pregnant before employing them

…when entertaining clients: It has become increasingly common to entertain clients in lap dancing clubs – now numbering at least 300 in the UK. Lap dancing clubs are increasingly targeting the corporate sector through tailored marketing

…on pay day: Women working full-time earn on average 17% less than men

Fawcett is encouraging members of the public to help circulate the campaign’s eye-catching design, in which the word ‘sexism’ has the image of a shark’s dorsal fin attached to it, by forwarding an e-postcard and displaying a poster and postcard versions of the design (5). 

Dr Katherine Rake, Director of the Fawcett Society, said:
“While things may appear calm on the surface, UK workplaces are awash with sexism. Pregnancy discrimination, sexual objectification, and gender stereotyping all lurk just below the surface. For too long it has gone unidentified and unchallenged. It is time to start naming sexist cultures and practices at work for what they are. 

“Sexism at work is not inevitable. Nor is it just women who pay the price; men, businesses, the economy and society as a whole all bear the cost. Sexism has no place in today’s workplace. It is time to flush it out.”

Notes to editors

1. The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading campaign for women’s rights www.fawcettsociety.org.uk
2. The posters will be displayed from 6th October – 17th November 2008 on escalator panels in the following London Underground stations: Westminster, Bank, Barbican, Blackfriars, Farringdon, London Bridge, Liverpool Street, and St Paul’s
3. The photo stunt, involving a campaigner in a shark costume, will take place on Monday 6th October, 8.00-9.30am, outside the entrance to Westminster underground station on Bridge Street
4. ‘Just Below the Surface’ is a new Fawcett Society briefing available to download from www.fawcettsociety.org.uk
5. The campaign e-postcard and posters are available to download from www.fawcettsociety.org.uk