Stereotypes Blamed for Job Review Bias Against Women
Updated: Stereotypes may be the reason women lawyers are more likely than their male counterparts to report bias in job reviews, according to a report by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.
Commission researchers said that assertive, demanding female lawyers are given low marks for interpersonal skills while male lawyers are praised for the same behavior, reports the Wall Street Journal’s Front Lines blog. Supervisors also may unconsciously give higher ratings to lawyers most like them—men with spouses at home.
The report, “Fair Measure: Toward Effective Attorney Evaluations,” also cites research showing mothers face more discrimination, according to the Front Lines account. One study reported lower ratings for women if their resume indicates they have a 2-year-old child. Another study showed job evaluations of women managers worsen after they become pregnant.
The report listed these “descriptive stereotypes” that make it harder for women to establish their competence:
• He’s skilled; she’s lucky.
• He’s busy; she has trouble with deadlines.
• He’s thoughtful; she’s hesitant.
• He’s prudent; she’s passive.
• He’s incisive; she’s abrasive.
• He knows his own worth; she’s a shameless self-promoter.
The women’s commission says law firms can fight bias with a standard performance review system based on job requirements. The report, which includes sample evaluations and how-to tips, can be purchased on the ABA website.
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Revised at 11:50 a.m. to include additional information from the report.
