CHAPTER 3
ENGAGEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN CHEMICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
3.1.1 Recruitment and promotion policies During the last two decades, along with intensifying social and economic changes, women’s participation in economic, social and decision-making spheres has increased. International and often national agendas have pushed for the elimination of barriers and discrimination, asking for equal representation and equal treatment.48 However, hiring managers’ decisions to select female candidates are sometimes still influenced by prevalent perception of gender roles and other implicit biases related to the expected performance of female candidates in technical and male-dominated jobs, leading to the selection of more male candidates with the same or fewer competences.49 50 Studies conducted by ILO have found that women are more likely than men to be asked about marriage and childcare responsibilities during job interviews, in anticipation of whether they would become pregnant and request maternity leave at a given point.51 Moreover, as shown in focus groups, there is lack of trust in women’s capabilities and competences to perform high-risk functions like those associated with chemical safety and security in some workplaces, consequently influencing the hiring manager’s selection decision.
48 Diekman, A. B., Johnston, A. M., and Loescher, A. L. (2013). Something old, something new: evidence of self-accommodation to gendered social change. Sex Roles, 68, pp. 550–561: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-05363-001 49
Thébaud, S. and Charles, M. (2018). Segregation, Stereotypes, and STEM. Social Sciences, 7(7): https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jscscx/v7y2018i7p111-d156990.html#download
50
European Institute for Gender Equality (2018). Gender equality in recruitment and career progression: https://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/toolkits/gear/gender-equality-recruitment-and-career-progression Addati, L., Cassirer, N. & Gilchrist, K. (2014). Maternity and paternity at work: Law and practice across the world. Geneva: International Labour Office.
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