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Does Silicon Valley have a sexism problem? Does Silicon Valley have a sexism problem?
(about 5 hours later)
Taxi-hailing app Uber has promised an "urgent investigation" into claims of workplace sexual harassment, after a female engineer said misogyny was rife at the firm and women were quitting in droves.Taxi-hailing app Uber has promised an "urgent investigation" into claims of workplace sexual harassment, after a female engineer said misogyny was rife at the firm and women were quitting in droves.
Susan Fowler, a software engineer, wrote a blog post about a "very, very strange year at Uber".Susan Fowler, a software engineer, wrote a blog post about a "very, very strange year at Uber".
In it, she says her manager tried to have sex with her on her first official day at work, sending her messages about his open relationship.In it, she says her manager tried to have sex with her on her first official day at work, sending her messages about his open relationship.
It's just the latest blow for a company that has gained a reputation as a bastion of Silicon Valley's macho "bro" culture.It's just the latest blow for a company that has gained a reputation as a bastion of Silicon Valley's macho "bro" culture.
But is Uber really any more sexist than other tech giants in the Valley?But is Uber really any more sexist than other tech giants in the Valley?
'Impacted my job''Impacted my job'
Ms Fowler's claims have resonated with many women in the tech world, and surveys suggest her experiences are not uncommon.Ms Fowler's claims have resonated with many women in the tech world, and surveys suggest her experiences are not uncommon.
According to a 2016 survey, 60% of women working in Silicon Valley experience unwanted sexual advances.According to a 2016 survey, 60% of women working in Silicon Valley experience unwanted sexual advances.
The "Elephant in the Valley" survey found that 87% of the 220 women interviewed had witnessed demeaning comments from their colleagues.The "Elephant in the Valley" survey found that 87% of the 220 women interviewed had witnessed demeaning comments from their colleagues.
Almost 40% of those who said they were harassed at work did not report the situation, fearing it would damage their careers.Almost 40% of those who said they were harassed at work did not report the situation, fearing it would damage their careers.
"I was propositioned by a hiring manager early in my career when I was a job candidate," one contributor to the study wrote."I was propositioned by a hiring manager early in my career when I was a job candidate," one contributor to the study wrote.
"He clearly indicated that if I slept with him, he would make sure I was promoted as his 'second in command' as he moved up the ladder in the company.""He clearly indicated that if I slept with him, he would make sure I was promoted as his 'second in command' as he moved up the ladder in the company."
Another said she had turned down her CEO's sexual advances the first time they travelled together for work.Another said she had turned down her CEO's sexual advances the first time they travelled together for work.
"After that, I was never asked to travel with him again," she said. "This impacted my ability to do my job.""After that, I was never asked to travel with him again," she said. "This impacted my ability to do my job."
The study followed a high-profile gender discrimination lawsuit in 2015 from former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao - one of those praising Ms Fowler's stand against Uber.The study followed a high-profile gender discrimination lawsuit in 2015 from former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao - one of those praising Ms Fowler's stand against Uber.
On Twitter, Ms Pao said Ms Fowler's blog post shows "the state of tech in one woman's story, also the story of many women, many people at many companies".On Twitter, Ms Pao said Ms Fowler's blog post shows "the state of tech in one woman's story, also the story of many women, many people at many companies".
'Errors of judgement' See also:
Sexist van slogans banned in Australia
Meet the female gamers challenging sexism
Are universities secretly sexist?
Discrimination is difficult to quantify - especially when victims are unwilling to speak out.Discrimination is difficult to quantify - especially when victims are unwilling to speak out.
Yet on top of Ms Pao's case, there have been several high-profile lawsuits and sudden exits in the tech world in recent years:Yet on top of Ms Pao's case, there have been several high-profile lawsuits and sudden exits in the tech world in recent years:
How does tech compare to other industries?How does tech compare to other industries?
Comparing results from different studies with different questions can be problematic - but there are some hints that Silicon Valley has a problem.Comparing results from different studies with different questions can be problematic - but there are some hints that Silicon Valley has a problem.
Statistics on sexual harassment vary widely, but an extensive 1992 US national study found that 41% of women had experienced it; and about 40-50% of women in the EU, according to the United Nations.Statistics on sexual harassment vary widely, but an extensive 1992 US national study found that 41% of women had experienced it; and about 40-50% of women in the EU, according to the United Nations.
Both estimates are still lower than the Silicon Valley survey's 60%.Both estimates are still lower than the Silicon Valley survey's 60%.
The 2016 Women in the Workplace study - a major US national survey - found that 19% of the technology sector's top executives are women - broadly in line with sectors like banking, media, or professional services.The 2016 Women in the Workplace study - a major US national survey - found that 19% of the technology sector's top executives are women - broadly in line with sectors like banking, media, or professional services.
The same study found that, across all industries, 30% of women who negotiated for a promotion or a better salary were told they were "bossy", "aggressive" or "intimidating".The same study found that, across all industries, 30% of women who negotiated for a promotion or a better salary were told they were "bossy", "aggressive" or "intimidating".
In the Elephant in the Valley survey, that rocketed to 84% of women being told they were aggressive (though that question was not specifically about negotiation).In the Elephant in the Valley survey, that rocketed to 84% of women being told they were aggressive (though that question was not specifically about negotiation).
What's being done for gender balance?What's being done for gender balance?
The world's biggest tech companies know they're dominated by white men, and many are funding schemes to address that.The world's biggest tech companies know they're dominated by white men, and many are funding schemes to address that.
In its annual diversity and inclusion report, Apple said it had closed pay gaps over the past year by analysing salaries, bonuses and stock grants.In its annual diversity and inclusion report, Apple said it had closed pay gaps over the past year by analysing salaries, bonuses and stock grants.
Facebook has pledged to give $15m (£12m) to Code.org, a non-profit group teaching young women and underrepresented minorities how to write computer code.Facebook has pledged to give $15m (£12m) to Code.org, a non-profit group teaching young women and underrepresented minorities how to write computer code.
And in 2015, Google told USA Today it would invest $150m (£120m) in workforce diversity initiatives that year, up from $115m in 2014.And in 2015, Google told USA Today it would invest $150m (£120m) in workforce diversity initiatives that year, up from $115m in 2014.
At the moment, 23% of Apple's tech employees are women. At Google, it's 19%. And at Facebook, just 17%.At the moment, 23% of Apple's tech employees are women. At Google, it's 19%. And at Facebook, just 17%.
Change comes slowly in companies of this size, so the path could be a long one.Change comes slowly in companies of this size, so the path could be a long one.
But by broadening the pool of people qualified to work there, Silicon Valley is hoping to change the status quo.But by broadening the pool of people qualified to work there, Silicon Valley is hoping to change the status quo.