Taken at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room | Seattle, Washington
Inclusive… That’s what some call it. I was a little nervous going in; I didn’t know what to expect. I was in line to use the unisex bathroom for the first time. As I stood in line, I thought to myself, what’s it going to be like, and why is this lady in a Starbucks uniform standing around yelling at everyone to hurry up and “get off your cell phones, your’re just in the bathroom” like a high school hall monitor? As I turned around the corner each stall had floor to ceiling doors, and a sink for all to use. I was worried what the stalls would be like; there’s such a stereotype for males to be a bit messy in the restrooms… After bumping into the gentlemen who was washing his hands at the sink I politely and nervously said, “excuse me”. After my experience I thought, this is good; this is okay. Maybe we are one step closer to inclusion in the workplace too…
Inclusiveness in the workplace should be like a unisex bathroom. We all come together in one general area to handle our business, and have polite interactions with each other, with no judgement – I would have never thought I would compare the office to a public restroom, but it works. It has been the norm for culture to separate men from women. The duties of a man and woman are separated in the workplace too. “Stereotypes go unnoticed by both men and women, as they are so deeply rooted within a culture.” (Moran, Abramson, Moran, 2014) We are seeing gender equality in different areas of society, but still the workplace needs help. “Workplace gender equality is achieved when people are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of gender.” (M., 2013)
When will it all end? When will inclusiveness become the norm for not just public restrooms? Maya Angelou once said, “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
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Hello Amanda,
I am one-hundred percent with you on inclusion in the workplace. I am not certain that can be compared to restrooms. The unisex restroom is a new practice that has been created by a group who wanted or needed change. Companies, not all, have been making their change for inclusion as well. Throughout those changes, sexual harassment has been a serious concern. I am not certain eliminating gender-specific restrooms is a step in that direction. If every human was honest and upstanding, there would be no cause for concern. Unfortunately, our prisons are full. In a location other than a coffee shop, one with thousands of people, is there the same outcome of personal safety or no harassment?
Workplace gender equality is in the process of undoing over a century of bad habits. Changing the way millions think is a lot more challenging than hiring a contractor to remodel a restroom. One commonality I do see between them is what it takes to be heard. The voice of the people with a desire for change (a.k.a. communication).
Please do not misinterpret this post as negative or in disagreement with you. I am certain I am on the side of equality just as you are.
Kind Regards,
bdj
Hi Amanda,
Your post reminded me of the old hit series Ally McBeal. If you remember, the law office had a uni-sex bathroom. I can remember thinking how strange, why would they do that? Now looking back, the series was way ahead of their time. While the show made the bathroom scenes out to be light-hearted and comical, the fact of the matter is that those scenes were extremely progressive in its thinking. The fact that a strong powerful woman and a strong business man could use the same facilities really drives a point home that we are all equal and that our sex doesnt matter when it comes to taking care of yourself. The series made both the moan of the show and the men of the show equal partners at the law firm and the bathroom scenes were just one example of how they demonstrated it.