Wisconsin patients rely on medical professionals to provide the best possible care, but some on-the-job issues could make fulfilling that expectation problematic for some women. Physicians who are also mothers report increased instances of workplace discrimination because of the fact that they have children. According to female physicians, the very act of becoming a mother limits their opportunities for advancements and leaves them with lower average salaries than those of their peers.
A 2017 study involved 6,000 anonymous respondents. It found that approximately 33 percent of female physicians with children reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Many indicated that they were paid less than their colleagues and were pressured to adhere to gendered expectations regarding their performance. A significant number of respondents also reported that they were routinely not invited to activities outside of work because their co-workers assumed they would not attend, leaving them without opportunities to network and advance.
Discrimination in the medical field does not just hurt female physicians, but also hurts patient outcomes. Although female physicians have lower rates of readmission and mortality when treating patients than male physicians, they often face resistance or even outright defiance from their colleagues. This type of discrimination can affect patient outcomes, particularly if a male co-worker ignores a female physician’s instructions.
When Wisconsin workers face discrimination from employers and co-workers, they do not have to suffer in silence. A carefully pursued workplace discrimination suit can be an effective answer to an otherwise difficult situation. When successfully settled, these suits can affect necessary change while also achieving legal recourse for victims.