ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at how men and women are perceived in organizations, to give insight into the perceptual process and question conventional approaches. It describes the perceptual errors women face. Standard organization behaviour texts and women in management texts rarely look at this topic in any depth. It is clear, however, that extensive organizational change is needed to alter the negative view of women at work. Research by Rosen and T. H. Jerdee demonstrated clear bias against women in personnel decisions related to promotion, development, and supervision. Kanter. R has argued that many of the negative traits ascribed to women managers may be a product of the dead-end roles they occupy. A women applicant's clothing may provide a means for her to convey management characteristics and so improve her opportunity for employment in management positions. The more masculine outfits result in more favourable hiring decisions.
