If you doubt the existence of sexism in the workplace, the experience of one man might just change your perspective. This revelation is particularly compelling since it comes from a male source, which often garners more attention.
A few weeks ago, a mix-up occurred when Jake Thompson inadvertently had his email signature set to that of his colleague, Sarah Parker. When he noticed a client’s disrespectful behavior, he and Sarah decided to conduct an experiment: they would switch email signatures for two weeks to observe any changes in their professional interactions.
Jake later shared his findings on Medium, stating, “We swapped signatures for a week and while I had an easy time, Jake faced a barrage of disrespect.” Essentially, while Sarah enjoyed a smooth week, Jake was subjected to treatment that was completely foreign to him. Jake took to Twitter to detail his experience, which quickly went viral. It seems that when a man acknowledges sexism, it captures headlines, whereas when women report similar experiences, it often goes unnoticed.
He recounts, “During an email exchange with a client about his resume, he was being incredibly difficult—rude, dismissive, and ignoring my questions.” Jake further noted that upon realizing he had been signing off as “Sarah,” he decided to intervene. “The moment I introduced myself as Jake and said I was taking over for Sarah, there was an immediate shift. The client was suddenly polite and cooperative, thanking me for my suggestions and responding positively.”
Curiously, despite no change in Jake’s professional advice or methods, the mere act of adopting a male name transformed the client’s attitude. They decided to extend their experiment for two weeks, with Jake continuing to sign off as Sarah. The results were eye-opening.
Jake described his experience as “a nightmare,” facing constant second-guessing and condescension, with one client even inquiring about his relationship status. In stark contrast, Sarah had one of her most productive weeks, illustrating how much effort she had to exert simply to earn the respect that Jake received effortlessly.
It’s disheartening that it takes a man to highlight these disparities for them to gain traction in the media. Nonetheless, Jake has emerged as a supportive ally, recognizing that while he may not face the same injustices, he is committed to calling them out. “Women often have to navigate these situations out of fear of those in power, which perpetuates the cycle,” Sarah commented in an interview. “I understand why many women may hesitate to speak up.”
For further insights on this topic, you can check out our other blog post on home insemination kits, which can be found here: Make a Mom. For more authoritative information, you can explore Green Peas or refer to this excellent resource on IVF.
In summary, the experiences of Jake and Sarah underscore the pervasive issue of sexism in professional environments and highlight the importance of allies in advocating for change.