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Ol‘ Boys‘ Networks Still Exist?
 Is there still a good ol’ boys’ network? Some say the good ol’ boys’ network is dead in today’s workplace, while others say it’s alive and well. For some, gender bias runs far deeper than the GOB networks. Discrimination lawsuits continue to prove women aren’t always treated as equals in the workplace. Just take a look at these big-money stats from actual organizations from a variety of industries:
Many women contend they have experienced painful career scars from blatant discrimination. Others see more subtle types of discrimination — where men just feel more comfortable chumming around with other men in the workplace ... which leads to more subtle advantages. One woman put it this way: “I think it’s because young male careerists remind more senior male leaders of themselves ‘back in the day.’ So the leaders spend more time with the young men — even if it’s just talking fishing or golfing or what they did over the weekend. But a bond forms and that bond can give the male employee an advantage over their female counterparts.” Lawsuits stats from Getting Even by Evelyn Murphy with E.J. Graff We're sorry, but the comment box for this article has been closed. However, you may view the past discussion amongst your peers to see what they had to say ... |
 
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton
“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” – Peace Pilgrim
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Your Responses:
It is definitely still alive. I have experienced it in regards to taking PTO. We women are expected to take it in two hour increments (although it is not written) and some of the men are allowed to be off work all day because they "worked some on the weekend". Sometimes these "working" weekends are working 5 minutes and drinking together for a while!!!! Definitely, it is still alive. THe good ole boys help each other out. Women at the top should start helping other women get up there also. Yes it still does exist. I recently asked for a position at our company and will not even be considered, even though I know the job inside and out, because I am not a male. Oh yes it exists. Our company does not even try to hide or excuse it, among other things, even with bonuses. Men in all positions get 2x more than the women here. I call it the "man bonus". Yes, there are. Called Good ol'managers network. One negative gossip about you among them and there goes your reputation. All of us should be get to know whether something is true or not or just gossip. Yes the GOB network still exists. I have seen a company that is quick to fire the women yet men have chances after chances, they replace the women with men that they are buddies with. We've experienced a lot of layoffs, which resulted in me being the only female supervisor/manager, the g.o.b. still have themselves for networking, lunch, meetings, I am not asked nor included in any decision making projects. I feel out in left field and I've been in this business 30 years, but what do I know? hmm let me think,what is that? is that when you apply for a position and someone of another gender applies for the same position but because "he" was the former president of a respected organization your application never crossed the hiring managers desk?
oh hell yeah it's still alive and well! Still alive and kicking! Unfortunately I work for a company where it still exists. The company is over 130 years old and there has never been a woman in senior management. And, a younger man that I hired five years ago is now my boss. Without a doubt. They most definitely do still exist. In South Georgia they sure do!! Ladies, if you do not think the GOB system still exists, then you are in denial. "Members" of this group will only listen or event recognize your existence if you have something they need and they respect you. Even if they do not like, as long as you have some authority or power AND they respect you, can you even fathom having any type of impact. It's alive and active in my workplace, city and state. The best way to combat it, I've observed is to bring something of value to the organization. Read, listen, learn, take classes, the better informed you are, the more you bring to the table the better your opportunities will grow. It was very active in a previous group I worked, but now it doesn't seem to be a problem. The women are becoming the dominate figure at the company. By the way...why are we all capitolizing g.o.b.? Sometimes I think the club is strong because we allow them to have that much power over us. I do believe that the "good old" boys network is still at work. I work ______. :( The only thing that clouds its existence in secrecy it the way things are done. You know the cloke and diger type method as well as "quid pro quo" I have been very fortunate in my career, not affected by the GOB club. Recently, my neice shared her struggles though. She is a Environmental Engineer with a P.E. designation and her employer still expects her to serve coffee to the men. It is demeaning and dismissive of her accomplishments. in the last three years the network has raised its head in our organization, prior to that it did not seem to have much oomph. Of course the GOB club is alive and thriving. However, I am not sure that this is a bad thing. We women also have our GPNs as the article suggests. As long as you know the "rules", anyone male or female should be able to navigate the "game" easily. Is it fair? Perhaps not, but no one said life was fair. Of course. That is the basis of Congress, Senate and Big Business even today. A members only club. It's a U.S. way of power only given to those in the club by those that control it. Yes - the GOB club is alive and well. Things that they have no business in or that you should be included in - you don't get pulled in until the manual work needs to be done. Yes definitely. So true here (science - academia). pay is different, treatment is different. Men can get away with almost anything... and they get promoted too. Why yes the "GOB" Club is definitely alive and very well!!!! I'm from the south it is very alive and well. I definitely feel like the "GOB" network exists! I have been with the same company for 15 years and have seen men that have been here for only 3 pass me up. I would understand if these men had more experience or "proved" themselves to be more successful , but that is not the case at all. Hell yea I'm in a company that if you don't have those things between your legs, your demoted! But men can just get away with anything. yes, it exists! our CEO does not seem to value the female VP's opinions at all...doesn't include them on important meetings, etc. Oh yes, it most certainly still exists! Try working in a golf country club. Not only are female staff members paid less, promoted least and treated like furniture, but women are not PERMITTED to become members... I work in a male dominent departmnet of a female dominent company. There is still a GOB network and the women I have worked with in other depts have turned up mostly Catty! I am a minority but have been able to use that to my advantage. Pay is by the book. I see college credits in any field being looked upon over a HS diploma, even if it's in culinary arts for an office job. That part stinks. By all means yes, it definately exists!!!!!"They" always have a way around it, but it's there. The 'good ole boys' network still is large in Lyons, KS. Women are definitely lower class and the men will get paid more for the same job. I don't find the men to be an issue as much as the women themselves. Women in our organization are in all out war against each other, they would prefer to antagonize and are unsupportive to each other. I think women should help and support other women. Yes, the good ole boys club still exists. Not necessarily company wide, but definitely in some departments. I work in a male dominated industry - Construction - Electrical and yes woman are still in the minority and there is still a Good Ol Boys network. We talked openly about men being promoted (and women never considered) in my company. I don't believe there was a bias against women; there was a norm however that favored men. Once I raised my hand and said "this is what I want" people realized that I wanted something more than what I already had, and were happy to support me in gaining access to top level spots. |
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