According to a report by Catalyst entitled Women of Color in U.S. Law Firms, more than 75 percent of women of color will leave their employer within five years because of job dissatisfaction stemming from "complex barriers," including:
* A greater sense of "outsider status" and limited growth opportunities.
* Racial and gender stereotyping and more feelings of sexism in the workplace compared to
white women.
* Lack of access to high-profile client assignments and important client engagements.
* Missed opportunities for candid feedback.
The study is the fourth and final in Catalyst's Women of Color in Professional Services Series "examining how the intersectionality, or combined identities of gender and race/ethnicity, puts women of color at a unique disadvantage in the workplace."
I wonder if some of our readers want to speak to their experiences within law firms? I have a hunch we have more than a few legal minds within the feministing community and I'd love to hear your reactions.
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And what is the figure for other women?
The reasons stated seem could apply just as much to other women (and men too). (Apart from the second one.)
If the figure is also close to 75% then the question is not about Colour, but rather about why 75% of women leave within 5 years. And if the same figure is true of men, then it is again another question.
I've worked at a few law firms in the last couple of years as a law student, and I've noticed that the non-profit sector is much mor opening to women and poc in general. I currently work at the Department of Justice in a small state, and the balance is...not so good.
As a side note, I worked for the Women's Law Project of Pennsylvania, and mostly women worked there (although my male constitutional law professor had worked there too for a long while before he came to our school) and there were several incidents of outright or veiled racism and elitism between the upper-class white lawyers and social workers and the black support staff. Make of that what you will.
I've worked at a few law firms in the last couple of years as a law student, and I've noticed that the non-profit sector is much more welcoming to women and poc in general. I currently work at the Department of Justice in a small state, and the balance is...not so good.
As a side note, I worked for the Women's Law Project of Pennsylvania, and mostly women worked there (although my male constitutional law professor had worked there too for a long while before he came to our school) and there were several incidents of outright or veiled racism and elitism between the upper-class white lawyers and social workers and the black support staff. Make of that what you will.