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Sexist behaviour at work

1 reply

Monzo1ss · 08/04/2026 16:47

I’m late 20s, female, work in mathematics and computer science.

I had a good career up until my last role, where I was promoted into management and promoted again into senior management and led multiple teams. (in government, where I had a large amount of female colleagues).

I left that role last year for a better paying position in the private sector - where I’d say it’s more male dominated. It’s still a government-adjacent company and my previous experience was desirable and dare I say, more higher level than what the new role offers.

I have been in role for 6 months and find myself struggling with the culture, it’s like without fail my looks or my gender means I am not being taken seriously. There’s some seriously shit men on the team, who are seen as the authority, so it’s like the blind leading the blind. My experience is seen as useful but lesser than project managers for example, who I’d say are the worst at treating me differently.

It’s things like, the micromanagement from peers even though I’m on the same level as them, which comes out in things like not being invited to planning meetings, my work being completed to a high standard but then refusing to close the “ticket” on Jira etc.

One was placed into a 2 month long “feedback” phase without my knowledge, and even then all the feedback was highly positive and miles better than their previous work, no changes needed. It still took weeks to just close the ticket after that even though it was widely praised as impressive work. No one else on the team is treated like this with such scrutiny, as soon as the work is done, the item is closed. Other things obviously have occurred, I’m generally not included in meetings or am seen as low priority. I don’t feel comfortable that my concerns would be taken seriously if I raised them.

OP posts:
IdaGlossop · 08/04/2026 17:08

It's terrible that women still have to deal with this kind of nonsense! I'd suggest several approaches simultaneously:

  1. Direct challenge in meetings and in 1:1 situations, including about things that have already happened
  2. Gathering of evidence through a diary
  3. Brainstorm with yourself about how you'd like things to be different
  4. Discussion with line manager based on 2. and 3.
  5. Have a transition plan - decide how long you are prepared to stay and what achievements you want to be able to offer your next employer (culture change is hard and has to be led from the top; you can win some battles but you won't win the war)
  6. Find allies - women certainly, possibly a man too
  7. Put yourself forward for projects/new work
  8. Suggest new projects/approaches and volunteer to lead them
  9. Join a professional body/LinkedIn groups and be active to add to your credentials and to have a professional focus other than your job
10. Watch YouTube videos to learn assertiveness techniques
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