Perceptions of Gender Equality in Work–Life Balance, Salary, Promotion, and Harassment. Issue 4 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomer, Gitit; Xanthakos, Stavra; Kim, Sandra; Rao, Meenakshi; Book, Linda; Litman, Heather J.; Fishman, Laurie N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Volume 60:Issue 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pediatric gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Nutrition -- Periodicals; Digestive System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Infant Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- Periodicals; Child; 618.923
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000637
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-2116

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec> <title>Objectives:</title> <p>Gender equality in the workplace has not been described in pediatric gastroenterology.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>An electronic survey that explored perceptions of career parity, work–life balance, and workplace harassment was sent to all members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Reponses were anonymous.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Of the 303 respondents (21%), there was an even distribution across geographic region, age, and gender (54% men). Gender affected perception of salary and promotion; 46% of men but only 9% of women feel that "women earn the same as men" (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Similarly, 48% of men but only 12% of women feel that "women rise at the same rate as men" (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Both genders of academic practice respondents, compared with other practice models, perceived men were promoted more quickly than women (<italic>P</italic> = 0.008). Women had higher dissatisfaction with mentoring than men (29% vs 13%, <italic>P</italic> = 0.03). Significantly more men than women reported spouses with "flexible jobs" (35% vs 14%, <italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Having a spouse with "flexible job" or having children (preschool or school age), however, did not affect satisfaction with work–life balance for either gender. Overall, women are more likely to be dissatisfied with work–life balance than men (<italic>P</italic> = 0.046).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Satisfaction with work–life balance is lower among women versus men pediatric gastroenterologists, but does not correlate with flexibility of spouse's job or caring for young children. Gender-divergent perception of promotion, parity of compensation, and mentoring requires further investigation.</p> </sec> </abstract>