Oldal 46 [46]
IZOLDA TAKÁCS: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
Scientists researching the field pointed out that, as opposed to the vertically
structured, rigidly hierarchic work organisation of the old Fordist models,
postmodern organisations are reacting to the changing opportunities of soci¬
ety by emphasising flexibility and focusing on one or a few main activities,
while all side activities are outsourced to other providers. As a result, modern
organisations have significantly fewer organisational levels, they are much
“flatter” and therefore less hierarchic than the “Fordist pyramids”. They also
allow for atypical labour relations.” The organisational ladder therefore has
to be addressed differently to those areas following traditional models of hi¬
erarchical advancement.
We need new concepts to understand workplace gender inequalities in the
21st century, regardless of the fact that the old models are still typical to social
workers, librarians, etc.’
As we have discussed above, women face a chimera of problems during their
careers, and this is supported by patriarchal traditions from all sides.
This chapter takes into account the general characteristics of workplace
organisation, their atmosphere and prejudices based on binary oppositions
identified by leading women, which limit them to this day.
The career path of women is the focus of the chapter, more specifically the
difficulties they encounter when they move up the employment hierarchy, or
if they want a career in science, a leadership position.
THE CHIMERA OF SEGREGATION
My starting point is therefore that the modernisation of organisations since
the 1950s has not solved the problems of women’s careers. Furthermore, we
are not merely talking about one or two obstacles, but we are faced with an
extremely complex, multifaceted phenomenon. Despite the fact that women
are overrepresented in many professions (even in formerly male professions,
such as law or medicine) and, as I mentioned in the introduction, the propor¬
tion of women leaders in the western countries has also increased considerably,
these numbers hide the fine details that prove what difficulties and choices a
woman has to face to have top level, decision-making leadership positions. No
matter what organisation we consider, within each of them “there are everyday
habits and processes that reproduce inequalities, reinforce and present
42 Kürtösi, Zs.: A nők és férfiak tarsadalmi kapcsolathdlézatanak eltérései a munkaszervezetben. PhD
thesis, 2008, http://phd.lib.uni-corvinus.hu/352/1/kurtosi_zsofia.pdf (accessed 9 May 2018),
29-30.
103 Williams: The Glass Escalator, Revisited, 624.
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