Never quite right: Identity factors contributing to bias and discrimination experienced by women leaders in the United States

Abstract

While much bias and discrimination research has focused on individual identity analysis, for example, gender, race, or ethnicity, what is not fully understood is how other social categories of difference influence discrimination. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examines facets of women leaders' identity that influence their experiences of bias. Respondents were 913 women in four United States industries in which top leadership roles are male dominated but the industries overall are female dominated or gender balanced. The findings revealed 30 distinct identity factors that were used as the basis for discrimination. The variety of the factors and the variation of stigma within each factor show that women leaders are considered “never quite right” as almost any facet of their identity can be declared problematic for a specific woman in a specific context. Human resource leaders should create inclusive policies so that women can express their authentic selves at work. Leadership teams and supervisors should be trained to recognize identity factors that may be the focus of criticism and, thus, serve as veiled bases for discrimination.