What Triggers Queen Bee Syndrome in the Workplace?

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The phenomenon of a woman who has a high position or position in a male-dominated work environment then interacts with her female colleagues or subordinates more critically is often called Queen Bee Syndrome1. Not only that, but someone with this syndrome also tends to discriminate against women who have lower positions.

Some say this may be a congenital condition, but according to a counselor at Personal Growth, Ghianina Armand, BSc, MSc², Queen Bee Syndrome is most likely caused by environmental influences. Such as life experiences to work experiences that make a person have that kind of character and behavior.

Naomi Ellemers, a professor from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, has researched gender inequality in the workplace for 20 years. “Women who have a lot of experience know very well that they have to show an extraordinary commitment to succeed. This makes them less confident that other women are capable of doing the same,” she said.

The researchers also explained that Queen Bee Syndrome is often misunderstood and can have a negative impact on initiatives to help women in the workforce. This syndrome is not a cause, but a consequence of gender discrimination that continues to apply in the world of work. One of the figures described as having Queen Bee Syndrome is Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister. Margaret is known not to promote the careers of other women in her cabinet.

What are the real triggers for Queen Bee Syndrome?³

• Gender bias in performance appraisal. Researchers have been able to eliminate Queen Bee Syndrome simply by asking women to think about when they were judged on merit and not on their gender.
• Gender discrimination in the workplace. Women tend not to receive much support from organizations and have to make many personal sacrifices to be successful.
• Masculinity in leadership. Some women try to distance themselves from other women and behave more masculinely because they think the only way to be promoted to the top level is to present themselves as masculine.

According to Ellemers, solving the problem of Queen Bee Syndrome cannot be solved by improving women alone, but by improving the work environment by minimizing gender bias and discrimination and increasing inclusiveness. On the other hand, the importance of giving appreciation for women’s success in their careers and also helping other women to develop.

As the quote goes, “you can always tell who the strong women are. They are the ones you see building one another up, instead of tearing each other down.”

References:

¹ Defined by psychologists at the University of Michigan, G.L. Staines, T.E. Jayaratne, and C. Tavris. 1973

² Ask the Expert, Queen Bee Syndrome di Dunia Kerja Berbahaya Kah. Kumparanwomen.com. 16 December 2019. 22 September 2022. https://kumparan.com/kumparanwoman/ask-the-expert-queen-bee-syndrome-di-dunia-kerja-berDangerous-kah-1sSBrkSrXDx/full

³ Queen Bees Still Exist but It’s Not the Women We Need to Fix. Forbes.com. 31 August 2020. 12 September 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/08/31/queen-bees-still-exist-but-its-not-the-women-we-need- to-fix/

⁴ Banyak Dialami Oleh Perempuan Karier, Apa itu Queen Bee Syndrome. 3 September 2021. 12 September 2022. https://www.parapuan.co/read/532871438/many-dialami-oleh-perempuan-karier-apa-itu-queen-bee-syndrome

⁵ Queen Bee Syndrome, Saat Kamu Mengganggap Kehadiran Perempuan Lain Sebagai Ancaman. 16 August 2021. 12 September 2022. https://www.beautynesia.id/life/queen-bee-syndrome-saat-kamu-menggharga-kehadiran-perempuan-lain-as-ancaman/b-235933

22 September 2022

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