DUBAI// Social perceptions about how women and men are supposed to behave in the workplace result in different forms of "bullying" from each gender, a women's business seminar in Dubai heard yesterday.
"This is not about biology, but about social interaction. Men exhibit more overt forms of aggression, such as physical or verbal aggression, while women exhibit more relational aggression, such as threats to your friendship or social connections," said Dr Michelle Webber, director of the master's in arts programme in critical sociology at Brock University in Canada.
Dr Webber explained this is because it is seen as acceptable behaviour for men to act openly aggressive, while women feel such behaviour compromises their femininity. As a result, women resort to other methods of demonstrating their dominance.
"This form of aggression is more difficult to confront because it's not out in the open," Dr Webber said. "Women can easily hide behind their intent and it's difficult to prove this [behaviour] was done purposely. It's very insidious."
Dr Webber was among a number experts speaking at a Mena Women in Business seminar under the theme "Women colleagues: Friend or Foe." She was presenting the foe aspect of the discussion.
Erin Miller Rankin, a senior associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, established the quarterly Women in Business series to tackle important issues that women face at the workplace everyday. One of these issues was the reluctance of women to work with other women.
"Through our previous series, we discovered that many women struggled when working with female colleagues or bosses," she said. "Sometimes many women even said they would prefer working with males."
The organisational structure of a company can be an important enabling factor, Dr Webber said. "When you have strong leadership that does not tolerate this behaviour, there is a less likely chance for it to exist."
Studies show that women judge each other harshly and pay more attention to qualifications of other women, Dr Webber said, adding that studies also show that men are more likely to promote women.
Such behaviour is exacerbated, Dr Webber said, when there are limited opportunities for the growth of women in a company - another important responsibility of the employer. "When there are more opportunities for women to reach the top, there is less need for this behaviour," she said. "However, if there is just one spot for the 'token women', you're setting up a hostile environment."
There is a flip side to the coin, however, as women often form very close relationships with each other. Lucy Reed, co-head of the Global International Arbitration Group at Freshfields, said she tries being a friend before she is a boss.
"The hardest part about this job is to fire people or tell them when they're not doing well," she said. "And that is why I make sure that I listen to everyone and that I'm empathetic."
When asked whether female colleagues are friends or foes, for Ms Reed, the answer was simple.
"I think friend, even if it takes time and effort," she said. "There are enough obstacles for real problems, and no room for women to put up other obstacles for other women."
A supportive workplace environment that provides opportunities that strengthen employees' skills and capabilities to drive sustainable growth is key to healthy interaction between all colleagues, said Vicki Gillespie, regional vice president of planning at PespiCo.
"It's easy to bring diversity in the workplace," she said. "But the challenge lies in including, welcoming and embracing the strengths of our differences, encouraging involvement and providing equal access to opportunities."
Female audience members and employers also held strong, varied opinions.
"Women are much more loyal, while men often turn on me," a women lawyer at Barclays said. "Women stick together, there is a strong sense of female solidarity."
Tamima Yahya, a lawyer at Emaar, said the close relationship between women can often be a double-edged sword.
"One minute you're being friendly and socialising, the next you discover there is something brewing on the side," she said.
mismail@thenational.ae
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
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- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Norwich 0
Watford 2 (Deulofeu 2', Gray 52')
Red card: Christian Kabasele (WatforD)
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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