Question

Suppose that one of the women in class has gotten a job offer from a major firm that has offices in several countries around the globe. After several years of excellent performance, she is offered a job in a country where women are considered to be inferior to men. Describe a possible problem she may have. Will she be considered a woman first, or an expatriate first? Would you recommend that she take the job?

Answer 1

Cultural orientation of countries around the world differs in many aspects. The local attitudes, values and behaviours are greatly influenced by the culture. What is promoted in one nation may be against the law in another. As such, international employees need to be aware of the cultural orientation of their country of transfer.

In the given question, though the female employee would be working at the same company in the new country, she will have to adjust to the local culture and be prepared for intrusion into her life. Some countries have labor laws that are biased against women as in these countries women are considered inferior to men and incapable of working outside the domestic environment. Women laborforce is very low in such countries. Thus , as a working woman, the female employee would attract attention at the workplace and maybe given undue criticism.

In countries with an inherent bias against women, any action on the part of a woman that breaks stereotypes is often looked at with suspicion. Thus, the female employee would be viewed as a woman first, overlooking the job for which she has been posted. Her bold decision to take up a job in a new country would not be acknowledged. Instead, her values may be questioned and she may be given differential treatment at the workplace.

International assignments give an opportunity for gaining new experiences and help expand our learning. Cultural differences are prevalent everywhere in the world. Some may be appreciated while some may be criticised. One shouldn't allow any such obstacle to alter their decision making with regard to important life decisions. Thus, the female employee's decision to accept the job in the new country shouldn't be influenced by the cultural bias against women. She should base her decision to accept the offer solely on the impact that the new job would have on her career.