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Sexism in the workplace doesn’t always look the way people expect. It’s not just about outright harassment or obvious pay discrimination. It can be subtle, woven into a company’s culture, hidden in hiring decisions, or disguised as office “traditions.” It affects women, men, and non-binary individuals alike, shaping careers, limiting opportunities, and making people feel unseen or undervalued.
If you’ve experienced workplace sexism, you are not alone. Many employees stay silent, fearing retaliation or dismissal, but that doesn’t mean the problem isn’t real. Sexism at work can be isolating, frustrating, and unfair. But here’s the truth: you have options. You don’t have to accept mistreatment, and you don’t have to fight back alone.
How Sexism Shows Up in the Workplace
Sexism at work isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s a whisper. A decision made behind closed doors. A pattern that slowly becomes impossible to ignore. Here are some of the ways gender discrimination takes shape in the workplace:
Unequal Pay for Equal Work
You do the same job as your coworker. You have the same experience, the same responsibilities, the same results. But you find out—maybe in passing, maybe by accident—that they make more than you. Perhaps a little more, maybe a lot. When you ask why, you’re given vague excuses. “That’s just how it worked out.” “They negotiated better.” Or worse, you’re brushed off entirely. Pay discrimination is a reality in many workplaces, and employers rely on secrecy to hide it.
Gender Bias in Hiring and Promotions
Ever feel like you have to work twice as hard to prove yourself while someone else gets the benefit of the doubt? Maybe you’ve been passed over for a promotion despite your qualifications while a less experienced coworker moves ahead.
Employers often make assumptions based on gender—women might be seen as “less committed” if they have children. At the same time, men in specific industries are overlooked because the job is considered “better suited” for women. These biases aren’t always spoken out loud, but they shape decisions in ways that can be hard to challenge without legal action.
Sexual Harassment and a Hostile Work Environment
Harassment often goes beyond inappropriate comments or unwanted advances in a workplace culture where certain behaviors are tolerated or dismissed. Maybe it’s the sexist jokes that coworkers laugh off, even though they make you uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s the feeling that you have to brush off inappropriate comments to “keep the peace.”
Maybe it’s the silent expectation that you’ll tolerate certain behavior because complaining only worsens things for you. A toxic work environment doesn’t need a single, glaring incident to be illegal—sometimes, the slow accumulation of discriminatory behavior makes it impossible to feel safe or respected.
Gendered Expectations and Unspoken Rules
Have you ever been expected to take notes in a meeting when no one else was? Asked to plan an office event because it’s “just something you’d be good at”? Or were you told you’re too aggressive or soft-spoken based on an outdated stereotype? Gendered expectations are baked into many workplaces.
Men in caregiving or administrative roles might be treated as if they don’t belong. Women in leadership might be held to a different standard, where assertiveness is seen as aggression. These biases might not seem as serious as other forms of discrimination, but over time, they chip away at your ability to thrive in your career.
Retaliation and Unfair Treatment
One of the biggest fears employees have is speaking up. Maybe you’ve seen what happens when someone else complains. They start getting fewer assignments. They’re suddenly written up for minor infractions. Their boss stops including them in meetings. And then, one day, they’re gone. Retaliation is real, and it’s one of the reasons so many people put up with sexism at work. But retaliation is illegal. If your employer punishes you for calling out discrimination, you have legal options to fight back.
What You Can Do About Workplace Sexism
You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept a workplace that mistreats you. You have the right to take legal action against an employer that allows or enables gender discrimination.
At Lipsky Lowe, we help employees in New York hold their employers accountable. That means going beyond filing complaints—pursuing legal action to get real results. Whether recovering lost wages, fighting for the promotion you deserved, or taking on workplace harassment in court, we fight for justice for our clients.
How Lipsky Lowe Can Help
Sexism at work is more than unfair—it’s illegal. Employers can’t pay you less, deny you opportunities, create a hostile environment, or retaliate against you for speaking out. If they do, we’re here to fight back.
We understand that taking legal action is a big decision. It’s not easy to stand up to an employer, especially if you’re worried about your career or financial security. That’s why we’re here to guide you through every step of the process, from gathering evidence to taking legal action in court.
We don’t just take cases—we take a stand. We fight for employees who need a voice. If you’ve experienced sexism in the workplace, don’t stay silent. Call Lipsky Lowe today and take the first step toward justice.