Perpetrators of workplace bullying and gender discriminations experienced by women gynecologic oncologists.

Abstract

11013 Background: A high prevalence of gender discrimination and harassment has been described among gynecologic oncologists (GOs). This study examined the work environment for women GOs and delineated the perpetrators of negative behaviors. Methods: An internet-based, IRB exempt survey of members of a 472-member Facebook group “Women of Gynecologic Oncology (WGO)” was conducted. Using REDcap survey platform, members provided demographics, practice infrastructure, personal experience with workplace bullying, gender discrimination, microaggressions, and outcomes. Demographic, practice and work environments and perpetrators of negative behaviors were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Between 7/20 and 8/19/2020, 250 (53%) of active WGO members participated in this survey. Most respondents were younger than 50 years old (93.6%); white (82.2%) and non-Hispanic (94.3%). A majority were married (84.7%) with children (75.2%). Practice environments included academic (152, 61.0%), private practice (31, 12.4%), and hospital employed (57, 22.9%). 89.9% supervised trainees. 130 (52.0%) respondents reported bullying, 140 (56.0%) gender discrimination, and 83% having experienced gender-based microaggressions. Age, race, ethnicity, practice setting, division director or chair gender or department reporting structure were not significantly associated with these experiences. Perpetrators of bullying, gender discrimination, and microaggressions were widely distributed (Table). Of those reporting bullying, 61 (46.6%) reported a male perpetrator, 25 (19.1%) female and 45 (34.4%) an equal gender distribution; of those reporting discrimination 105 (74.5%) reported a male perpetrator, 9 (6.4%) female and 27 (19.1%) an equal gender distribution. 32.9% of survey respondents acknowledged having been written up for speaking up in a way that would have been tolerated from a male colleague. 18.3% of respondents have changed jobs because of bullying; 13.5% because of discrimination. Conclusions: Women GOs report high rates of workplace bullying, gender discrimination, and microaggressions regardless of practice setting that often impact their careers. Perpetrators of these behaviors are multiple and varied. Proactive and deliberate interventions to improve the work environments for women GOs are urgently needed.[Table: see text]