Women of color in Florida and the rest of the nation who have jobs related to planetary science and astronomy are likely to work in a hostile environment in which they endure negative comments as well as physical and verbal harassment. This is according to a study that surveyed 474 planetary scientists and astronomers from 2011 to 2015. Additional findings also indicate that women of color are victims of workplace discrimination and harassment based on both their race and gender.
The study’s results showed that the most frequent occurrences of discrimination were experienced by women of color. For example, 40 percent of women of color who work in the two science fields stated that their workplace is not safe because of their gender. Twenty-eight percent of the women reported that their race was the reason they felt insecure in the workplace.
Intersectional discrimination was an aspect of employment discrimination that the study addressed and that is occasionally overlooked. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission asserts that discrimination based on more than one protected trait is included in the type of behavior that is forbidden by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. With regard to discriminatory behavior against African-American women, it is illegal even though the employer may not discriminate against African-American men or white women.
Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are often present in workplaces where there is a general lack of women, especially if there are few or none in power, such as in the tech and financial fields. Promotion and glass ceiling discrimination are usually followed by workplace harassment and discrimination.
Women who have been sexually harassed in the workplace should seek sexual harassment legal assistance. An employer may be held financially liable for a hostile work environment that facilitated lewd comments, unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate attention.