Is Gender Neutrality the Way to Go? : Gender Neutrality and Hidden Problems within the Swedish Organizational Context

Abstract: Sweden is ranked as one of the most equal countries in the world based on quantitative measures. Furthermore, many organizations consider themselves gender-neutral, meaning that they make no difference between genders. So, how do minority employees experience the gender neutrality of their workplaces? This study explores the experiences of minority employees regarding the gender neutrality of their workplace. Primary data was collected through ten semi-structured interviews with female- and male minorities. By comparing the experiences of those two minority groups, it was found that both are doing gender at their workplaces; hence the gender neutrality of the studied organizations can be questioned. Furthermore, the study highlights that when males are in the minority, they do not face the same problems as females in the minority. The interviewed females experienced problems such as direct discrimination, being silenced, being under pressure, and having to take a step back; thus, they did not have the same rights and opportunities as males. On the other hand, the interviewed males experienced equal treatment at their workplaces. Hence, problems were not based on one being a minority, instead, it was based on still existing gender differences. Therefore, for organizations not to lose valuable resources, they must address the existing problems.