Female ED doctors?

[CaliGirl14]

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I just found out through some of the doctors I work with that a certain hospital nearby us "does not allow", or hire, female ER doctors because of the possibility of them becoming pregnant. I say "does not allow" because it's not an official rule, but since they've never really hired a female doctor, it's pretty much what they say.

Is this usual? Unusual?

 

[pseudoknot]

Well, since that's a violation of the federal equal employment laws, I'd say that's going to be an unusual situation, and will last only as long as no one notices and can prove it is occurring. But I'm not a lawyer.

There are plenty of women in EM. I really don't think it's an issue.

 

[EctopicFetus]

This is an interesting topic. My group of about 40 docs has just a few women. The irony is that the women in our group oppose this more than any of the guys. On that note one of our last 3 hires was a woman. I think any group excluding someone based on sex or race is doing themselves a disservice.

IMO you hire the best plain and simple.

 

[dchristismi]

I'm a woman, and have a couple female partners... one of whom just had another baby. Both of her pregnancies were disasters and she was out for 10 months with the first one. (Pertussis is a b$%#*). Oh, and just because you're not bearing the child doesn't mean you shouldn't get time off. Our asst med director's wife had a baby yesterday. He's taking 4 weeks of paternity leave with the group's blessing.

Agree with the above. It's illegal, not to mention a bad business practice.

 

[danielmd06]

The irony is that the women in our group oppose this more than any of the guys.

This is curious to me. Why would the female physicians in particular be so against additional women in the practice?

 

[leorl]

I don't know. That doesn't make sense. And also, why are some nurses b*@#$&^s to female doctors? Also doesn't make sense. But in general, I think ER is one of the most female-friendly fields.

 

[EctopicFetus]

This is curious to me. Why would the female physicians in particular be so against additional women in the practice?

Our group is 40 docs so if someone goes out its not a huge deal. We split those hours out and its not a huge deal.

The women have those sentiments, I have discussed it with them in the past. I dont want to put words in peoples mouths but in essence it is because they know they will be out at some point (we usually hire fresh out of residency or 1-2 years out).

I see this as temporary and for the most part the women in my group are more reasonable and less annoying to be around than SOME of the male partners. None of the female partners are as abrasive as some of the guys.

I will say most ER groups wouldnt want to hire someone who they know will take a medical leave if given the option. Simply put our group has paid paternity and maternity leave. I get it to some degree but as someone who married a professional woman I think we should move beyond this thought process.

 

[EctopicFetus]

I don't know. That doesn't make sense. And also, why are some nurses b*@#$&^s to female doctors? Also doesn't make sense. But in general, I think ER is one of the most female-friendly fields.

My limited experience is that women tend to stay more in academics than community medicine. This might be secondary to the more flexible academic schedule.

 

[BADMD]

I just found out through some of the doctors I work with that a certain hospital nearby us "does not allow", or hire, female ER doctors because of the possibility of them becoming pregnant.

1. Apply
2. Get rejected
3. Sue
3a. Fun with discovery
4. Profit

Is this usual? Unusual?

Very unusual...and illegal

 

[EctopicFetus]

1. Apply
2. Get rejected
3. Sue
3a. Fun with discovery
4. Profit



Very unusual...and illegal

BADMD, only in your dreams. its not that simple. I agree you should apply but proving discrimination isnt all that easy. Surely they dont have a written policy. You would need someone inside to roll on them as well. lastly, what are your financial damages? Can you prove them? Good luck getting a lawyer to take that case on contingency.

 

[leorl]

Oh, interesting observation. I don't really have much exposure to the community setting so you might be on to something there.

My limited experience is that women tend to stay more in academics than community medicine. This might be secondary to the more flexible academic schedule.

 

[EctopicFetus]

My residency had maybe 30-40% female attendings. My group now out of 40 has 5.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Like most of EM we're 75-80% men.

 

[BADMD]

BADMD, only in your dreams. its not that simple. I agree you should apply but proving discrimination isnt all that easy. Surely they dont have a written policy. You would need someone inside to roll on them as well. lastly, what are your financial damages? Can you prove them? Good luck getting a lawyer to take that case on contingency.

Actually, it starts off very simply with an EEOC complaint. One can be scribbled on the back of a napkin in crayon. The company must respond. The EEOC will investigate. If there is a malicious pattern of discrimination, there are substantial punative damages.

Plaintiff lawyers are actually relatively easy to find as the process is so plaintiff friendly and expensive that a smart company will look for a settlement out right at the beginning. Plus, they know that something will show up in discovery, especially if there are 0 women in the group.

While I'm certainly being a bit flippant, if a group really is pulling that kind of crap, they need to be challenged and Title VII can be wielded like a bludgeon.

 

[la gringa]

my experience is that women are just more judgmental and mean, period. i have been dealing with a bad spine problem, and the only MD's or PA's that have been mean about any (even slight) inconvenience are female.

in case you don't know by my name, i'm also a female.

i also struggle w/ how to describe why i've been part time for so long - finally had a definitive treatment and will be good to go in a few months... but i hope that this isn't held heavily against me. i'm super energetic, generally known as the brain in the ED, get along w/ staff, no complaints to speak of and zero from medical staff, great pt satisfaction, and no malpractice hx. but some docs don't want to work w/ someone who even MAY have a sick day - shouldn't now that my problem is taken care of, but my experience (even w/ a very fair sick call system and that i will always do a reasonable switch).... docs are not so supportive of others when it isn't something they can see (like a fx or pregnancy issue).

 

[EctopicFetus]

Actually, it starts off very simply with an EEOC complaint. One can be scribbled on the back of a napkin in crayon. The company must respond. The EEOC will investigate. If there is a malicious pattern of discrimination, there are substantial punative damages.

Plaintiff lawyers are actually relatively easy to find as the process is so plaintiff friendly and expensive that a smart company will look for a settlement out right at the beginning. Plus, they know that something will show up in discovery, especially if there are 0 women in the group.

While I'm certainly being a bit flippant, if a group really is pulling that kind of crap, they need to be challenged and Title VII can be wielded like a bludgeon.

BadMD. i know how it works. My wife is a lawyer. You can do this, it will be a pain but your chance of getting a settlement is ZERO.

All they have to prove is any candidate that they invite to the next round ahead of the OP is better or better suited to what they want. Thats so easy to do when our resumes are just so subjective. Not a chief, done. Didnt do an elective in US/Peds/tox etc. Gosh thats what we were looking for this hiring round, done.

Chances of winning money is zero.