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EXPERT OPINION JULY 6, 2020 ¦ 43

Management see things my reporting, is a major ten-
through rose-colored glasses. sion spot for female lawyers in
The report finds “business their relationships.
leaders (56%) are more likely And on the work front, those
to believe that their company is Zoom meetings are not help-
taking steps to enhance gender ing women. An astounding
equity during this pandemic, 45% of female leaders attest
as compared with employees that “it’s difficult for women to
(34%).” And leaders are “more speak up in virtual meetings,”
likely to believe that working an observation agreed to by
remotely has facilitated a more 42% of male leaders. And one
inclusive environment (56% in five women reports feeling
vs. 28%).” “ignored and overlooked by
Talk about management coworkers during video calls,”
patting themselves on the and another one in five em-
back—prematurely! ployees report witnessing more
That said, female managers, discrimination at work since the
in particular, might be display- outbreak of the pandemic.
ing some wishful thinking. The Management see things I must say I’m not at all sur-
report finds that 80% of female through rose-colored
leaders (vs. 60% of their male prised that men are again
glasses. The report finds dominating those video calls.

counterparts) believe that for ‘business leaders (56%) Though I had reported during

senior leaders, gender equity is are more likely to believe the early days of the pandemic
more important now than be- that their company is that folks were mindful of giving
fore the onset of coronavirus. each other equal air time, Zoom
And for whatever reason, more taking steps to enhance etiquette seems to be withering
female leaders trust their com- away. Lately, I’m hearing that
pany to create a more inclusive gender equity during this those alpha males are back, and
workplace in the future (80% pandemic, as compared women are again sidelined.
with employees (34%).’

women vs. 75% men). Not that women aren’t trying
But beneath all that cheery to assert themselves. It’s just that
talk, it’s clear women generally they’re not hoggers. “We tend
who are hitting some bumps at to make our point and shut up,”
home and at work during the says a senior lawyer at a bank
pandemic. about her Zoom meetings. “Whereas the guys will
For instance, the report finds working women go on and on. They love to hear themselves talk
feel they still bear most of the responsibilities at and talk and talk.”
home: While one in three men claim they’re do- Which means we’re getting adjusted to working
ing more at home, “only 13% of women say that in this new normal. And that means, sadly, a re-
their male partner has taken more of the house- turn to the old normal.
hold chores.” Moreover, “women are twice as ¦

likely as men to be primarily responsible for Vivia Chen is a senior columnist at The Ameri-
homeschooling their children”—which, based on can Lawyer and the creator of The Careerist blog.

CONNECTICUT
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