Recession Results in More Layoffs for Men than Women

There have been a variety of articles noting that men have suffered more layoffs than women, due to the recession.  With the economy being on the downside, more men have lost their jobs, as opposed to women.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, it is noted that women are paid less and therefore, during cutbacks, they are more likely to keep their jobs.   This is one of the rare and meager benefits of the glass ceiling and sex discrimination in the workplace, I suppose.    This article cites that women are better communicators, something that makes them less likely to get the heave ho.

I tend to doubt that and go more with the theory presented  in this and other articles that more women are employed in health care, education and other industries that have suffered relatively fewer job layoffs than the harder hit industries where more men are employed.

The article points out another fact.  Women are becoming better educated.  Women received 135 Bacherlor’s degrees for every 100 men have received.   The gap is wider at the graduate level.

On the other hand, the economic debacle started in the real estate section and more men are in construction then women.  Layoffs came early and hard.

As for women cracking that glass ceiling and taking over in the  business leadership categories.   One pundit claims it’s not likely.  So even in a recession with more men out of work then women, the glass ceiling remains relatively bullet proof.