pc@hplabsb.UUCP (Patricia Collins) (06/05/84)
Hi. It's me again. How many women from HP have you heard from, net.women? There ARE women here at HP Labs, but not an overwhelming number. 4 years ago, we could gather all of the women together for a lunch at the park and fit in a couple of cars. Now, we'd have trouble fitting us in a bus! I have NEVER noticed any discrimination in hiring practices. HOWEVER, it concerns me that I know exactly 2 women in all of HPL (many hundreds of employees) who are department managers or above. I have run into several problems with incredibly sexist comments from managers (including the debatable custom of referring to secretaries as "girls" and the less debatable habit of evaluating a female candidate's appearance)-- but my direct management is very supportive of my technical and career aspirations. I have always found HP Personnel quite sensitive about Affirmative Action Policies. HP has its dirty laundry, like any company. And if there is one thing we women should be good at, it's cleaning up dirty laundry! (I.e., things won't change without good women making the change happen.) What I have finally realized is that it doesn't even occur to upper management to consider some qualified people for promotions or increased responsibilities, so those ignored people have to make their aspirations known. This isn't the way it should be; it's the way it is. I believe it will change only after a critical mass of previously-ignored people gain visibility and recognition. Needless to say, a more official (and knowledgeable) analysis of HP's affirmative action achievements can be obtained by talking with someone in HP Personnel. I would guess that HP has a far better-than-average record! Patricia Collins hplabs (I hope)