Achieving True Equality in the Workplace: How “Accidental Sexism” Impacts Career Paths

I recently had an article published by Relocate Global on How to Achieve True Equality in the Workplace, exploring the challenges in bridging our lived experience gaps and how unintended biases, or “accidental sexisms,” affect career progression—particularly in sectors where an international posting can be critical to success.

This got me thinking about how these dynamics play out in real lives, and Faye’s story is a powerful example:

Faye had always been committed to her career, known for her problem-solving skills and her thoughtful approach to projects. But while her work ethic and expertise were unquestionable, she often felt like an outsider within her team. Unlike many of her colleagues, Faye wasn’t much of a sports fan—a fact that seemed small at first but gradually shaped her experience in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

Every Monday morning, her teammates would gather around, diving into animated conversations about the weekend’s big games, results, and fantasy leagues. These discussions would carry on throughout the day, with inside jokes and shared interests naturally deepening their bond. Faye did her best to join in, but her lack of sports knowledge left her feeling disconnected, and over time, she found herself silently listening more than participating. It became clear that she was outside the central social group, not quite a part of the camaraderie that the others shared.

This dynamic extended beyond casual chatter. In meetings, Faye noticed that her ideas were often interrupted or, worse, brushed aside—only to resurface later, presented by others as their own. With less airtime in discussions, Faye struggled to make her voice heard, and her contributions seemed to go unrecognized. Senior managers, who often valued employees’ visibility and assertiveness, started to overlook her contributions, focusing instead on colleagues who were more prominent in these meetings.

As her profile within the team diminished, Faye was gradually assigned fewer high-profile tasks. Colleagues, and even her manager, made assumptions about her ambitions, believing she was satisfied with a supporting role rather than a leadership path. Without these career-enhancing opportunities, it became harder for Faye to showcase her abilities, further reducing her visibility. When her performance was reviewed, she was often judged by the limited scope of tasks she’d been given, reinforcing a cycle where her work was measured by past assignments rather than her potential for future impact.

One day, Faye learned that her company’s career path involved a valuable opportunity for international assignments—one she had always been interested in. These assignments were intended for “high-potential” employees as a way to gain diverse experience and build leadership skills. Yet, when her team discussed nominations for the overseas role, Faye’s name wasn’t even in the mix. Her manager assumed she wouldn’t be interested and didn’t bring it up. It was only later that Faye heard about the decision and the assumption that she might not want to relocate, especially given her “comfortable” role.

The impact of these small exclusions and assumptions had culminated in a career setback. Despite her commitment and capability, Faye realized that being excluded from informal team dynamics had gradually limited her growth and opportunity. She was perceived not as a rising star but as someone who didn’t aspire for more, all because of biases and missed chances to connect.

Faye’s story is a reminder that small exclusions can have a profound impact. Unconscious biases and missed chances to connect can shape perceptions of ambition and potential. By ensuring inclusivity across all interactions—formal and informal—we can create workplaces where every voice is valued and every career path is given room to flourish.

Let’s continue the conversation on building inclusive work cultures that recognize and actively remove these barriers. What steps has your organization taken to address these issues?