Why people want to talk about sexism

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Last year, before we officially launched Project XX at Automotive News, our study of gender issues in the workplace, I had a discussion with a friend in public relations about how best to pitch a survey asking people about their personal views and experiences with sexism.

The problem, this friend said, is that talking about sexism in the auto industry is like pitching a dog-bites-man story. It's not really surprising.

FROM OUR ARCHIVE: PROJECT XX

But it is pervasive.

On Thursday at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars, I'll be part of a panel that will talk about the impact of sexism and other bad behavior at work. Led by Kristin Dziczek, vice president of industry, labor and economics at CAR, the panel is called "Don't Be A Jerk! The Cost of Incivility in the Workplace."

Christine Porath, professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, has studied the impact of civility in the workplace extensively. Nearly half of the 800 managers she polled said they spend less time at work if they feel they aren't treated well, and 38 percent said they deliberately lowered the quality of their work.

It's not easy to change workplace culture, but there are a couple of steps that can make a difference, Dziczek says. Workplaces should stop tolerating bad behavior from top performers. Even if they are bringing in big bucks, they can be driving off other talented people.

Companies should also make sure their rewards systems match what they say they value, Dziczek says. If you tell people you value work-life balance, then rewards should not be based on how many hours you spend at your desk.

I've been pleased that despite the advice I received, that sexism is not surprising, people have embraced the discussion of sexism in the auto industry. Men and women have approached me and my partner on the project, Managing Editor Mary Beth Vander Schaaf, throughout the year to talk about it. Despite all the massively newsworthy things to discuss these days, people are seeking out conversations about this issue in particular.

You know why?

Because it's important.

You may email Sharon Silke Carty at [email protected].