My "brogrammer" workplace - does this sound sexist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

I have been working for an IT company for six months, as a technical writer. I love the work, but the environment sucks. Some highlights:

-- In group of 50 programmers, only 2 women.
-- Upper management is all white males. Even among lower managers in non-techie areas, there are almost no women.
-- Profusion of secretaries in tight, revealing clothing. (I have taken to dressing like a nun, so as not to draw attention.)
-- Women never included in social activities, happy hour outings, etc. (Though admittedly, there are only a few to potentially include.)
-- General feeling of testosterone in the air

I have worked in IT for quite a while, but have never run across an environment like this. I feel quite isolated and strange, and know that there is no potential for upward movement, though I am in a fairly senior position.

How can I deal with this for another year or so?

If you think something is amiss, it may be. That said, all of the stuff you list is debatable. General feeling of testosterone in the air is natural given that there are mostly men. The one thing I'd think about is that "women never included in happy hours" - if there are almost none, I wouldn't take that as a systemic sexism thing. maybe you should organize one and see what happens.

SOmetimes i think this happens out of fear of accidentally saying something, like a joke, that would then be reported to HR.

That's what my sister who works in tech in the west said. After she made it known she wasn't PC and not going to report the 'dudes' if they made a joke or remark outside of work, they let their guard down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

SOmetimes i think this happens out of fear of accidentally saying something, like a joke, that would then be reported to HR.

That's what my sister who works in tech in the west said. After she made it known she wasn't PC and not going to report the 'dudes' if they made a joke or remark outside of work, they let their guard down.

Also, sometimes it's because they don't have any female friends and they just don't consider that a woman might want to go hang out with guys out of work. Or they know they drink and cuss at happy hour and were raised that one doesn't do that around women. If you want to go to the after work social events, ask one of the guys you're most friendly with for the info. If you aren't friendly with any of the guys, I'd question if maybe this is more about you than them. I work in environments like this and even if some of them are Grade A Jerk Brogrammers, there are always a couple decent guys.

[Anonymous]

Start reading Anil Dash. He's a top guy in the industry and a feminist. Probably some good advice there.

[Anonymous]

Sounds made up and you just read an article about the gender equality push in IT that was a focus during CES this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds made up and you just read an article about the gender equality push in IT that was a focus during CES this year.

Yeah, because there's a focus on this issue that definitely means it's not happening in real life.

[Anonymous]

The dismissive attitudes you read here may be found in your workplace as well. So yes, there's definitely the potential for sexism and differential treatment. Keep an eye out for how assignments and issues are handled.