Lifetime Disadvantage, Discrimination and the Gendered Workforce

Critically examines discrimination and disadvantage suffered by women at work and focuses on the inadequacies of the current law.

Susan Bisom-Rapp (Author), Malcolm Sargeant (Author)

9781107123533, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 October 2016

256 pages
23.6 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

'I enjoyed and admired the ambitious approach taken by Susan Bisom-Rapp and Malcolm Sargeant in their book, Lifetime Disadvantage, Discrimination and the Gendered Workforce. Their model of lifetime disadvantage was explained clearly and exhaustively researched. And I agree with their thesis, that only a holistic, comprehensive approach (rather than disjointed incrementalism), can get us closer to workplaces that are more accommodating for all workers and to a society that ends or at least ameliorates the economic insecurity for women as they age. … [I] believe it contributes to a very important discussion we need to have about how we could reimagine the workplace and society's social structures to end the oppression and contribute to the long-term economic security of all workers.' Nicole Buonocore Porte, Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal

Lifetime Disadvantage, Discrimination and the Gendered Workforce fills a gap in the literature on discrimination and disadvantage suffered by women at work by focusing on the inadequacies of the current law and the need for a new holistic approach. Each stage of the working life cycle for women is examined with a critical consideration of how the law attempts to address the problems that inhibit women's labour force participation. By using their model of lifetime disadvantage, the authors show how the law adopts an incremental and disjointed approach to resolving the challenges, and argue that a more holistic orientation towards eliminating women's discrimination and disadvantage is required before true gender equality can be achieved. Using the concept of resilience from vulnerability theory, the authors advocate a reconfigured workplace that acknowledges yet transcends gender.

1. Lifetime disadvantage
2. Education and training
3. Stereotyping and gender discrimination
4. Caregiving and career outcomes
5. Glass ceilings and pay inequality
6. Occupational segregation and non-standard working
7. Pensions and retirement
8. Beyond lifetime disadvantage.

Subject Areas: Discrimination in employment law [LNHD], Gender & the law [LAQG], Law & society [LAQ]