In-House Counsel

Why The Reversal Of Roe V. Wade Will Have A Curtailing Effect On Workplace Equality

There remains a plethora of males, feeding off online posts like piranhas, who feel it’s permissible to degrade women’s choices and question their morals.

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Abortion Leaked Report Indicates Supreme Court Set To Overturn Roe v. Wade

(Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v. Wade poses a dangerous threat to workplace equality, one that many have overlooked or failed to contemplate. While companies have been openly vocal on recent issues of great social importance, abortion brings another view: the right to privacy and the right to consciously make decisions regarding one’s own well-being and health.

What’s become of comments and posts on social media in recent months regarding pressing social issues has continued to spiral in a further downward trajectory. Over the past several days, I’ve watched in disbelief as the comments continued to add up on LinkedIn from white male senior leaders, CEOs, and even attorneys who find freedom of expression in bashing women who get abortions while exhibiting total memory loss as to the fact they don’t even have a uterus to carry the fetus in. They don’t personally have to go through the anguish of making the final decision, or face the health implications that come with pregnancy, or even conquer the potential postpartum depression after the pregnancy.

I’ve witnessed women sharing stories of rape, sexual assault, extenuating health circumstances, and dire financial means being the impetus for having an abortion. I personally know women who have fallen into each of these categories over the years — the trauma of being raped, the trauma of having a fetus that created significant health issues and required an abortion, and the trauma of having a lack of financial means to care for a baby. And yet, there remains a plethora of males, feeding off these posts like piranhas, who feel it’s permissible to degrade these women’s choices and question their morals. How quickly they forget it takes two to tango. All while their job titles and company names are on display for all the world to see. These vitriolic comments are just simply placeholders for the misogyny that’s permeated and continues to endure in the workplace for many years.

These so-called leaders are the same ones who are reluctant to promote women into leadership roles or advocate for paid maternity leave. These are the same leaders who will widen the gender gap and preclude pay equality. They are the same ones who preach diversity in hiring but fail to support LGBTQ+ employees. They are the same ones who will support Justice Thomas’s argument that the Court should reverse its decision to allow same-sex marriage.

In the legal profession, we’ve already seen just how much woman lawyers are forced to combat and fight against to gain equal footing and equal respect. The patriarchy has just simply reared its ugly head, yet again.

The Roe v. Wade reversal will not only have a curtailing effect on where professionals will want to work but will also put increased pressure on these professionals to choose companies that have offices in states where abortion is still permitted or provide abortion-related benefits in states where access is restricted. This plays deeply into how hiring practices will evolve, how companies will handle employee benefits, and the questions job candidates will have before or during the interview process. As lawyers, it puts the ball in our court to think about the outcomes of companies that overlook ways to expand employee handbooks, policies, and benefits. Will companies expand healthcare benefits for women? Will companies provide paid maternity leave? Will state courts enforce child support?

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As a woman lawyer, coach, and writer, I will not remain tone deaf to misogyny in the workplace, especially on LinkedIn. I will continue to use my platform to be a voice to those who are too scared or reluctant to express it openly. I will continue to support the voices of other women. And, to the men who have openly supported women’s rights and the right to choose prior to the Roe v. Wade reversal and since, I applaud you, I see you, and I appreciate you. We must continue to advocate, together.

Wendi Weiner is an attorney, career expert, and founder of The Writing Guru, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint. She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers, personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process. You can reach her by email at wendi@writingguru.net, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her on Twitter @thewritingguru.  

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