March 2026

Everyday sexism in the workplace is often invisible to those who do not experience it firsthand. Trivializing remarks, systematic interruptions, and questioning of legitimacy: these repeated microaggressions create a hostile and degrading environment. The 2025 report by the High Council for Equality revealed that 77% of working women regularly face them. Here are some concrete examples to help you identify them and suggestions for how to respond.

What is everyday sexism?

The Labor Code (Article L.1142-2-1) defines sexist conduct as “any conduct related to a person’s sex that has the purpose or effect of violating their dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.” Everyday sexism differs from sexual harassment in that it appears harmless and isolated, but its cumulative effects are very real.

Examples of everyday sexism in the workplace

1. Comments on appearance

“You’re dressed nicely today—are you trying to impress the client?” Comments like this reduce a professional to her physical appearance and have no place in a work setting.

2. Manterrupting

Being systematically interrupted in meetings, seeing your ideas dismissed, only to have them taken up by a male colleague a few minutes later. According to the #StOpE survey, two out of three women have experienced sexist behavior in meetings.

3. Sexist jokes

“It’s just a joke, relax.” Three out of four women report experiencing sexist jokes in their workplace. Humor is often used as a shield to trivialize degrading remarks.

4. Questioning competence

“Are you sure you can handle this project on your own?” “We’ll still ask [male colleague] to check it over.” Women’s competence is more often called into question, particularly in fields perceived as male-dominated.

5. Comments on motherhood

“Are you planning to have children soon?” during a job interview, or “It’s understandable that you’re less available now that you’re a mom.” Motherhood should never be a factor in professional judgment.

6. The assignment involves routine tasks

“Can you take notes at the meeting?” “Will you organize the farewell party?” Administrative and organizational tasks are disproportionately assigned to women, regardless of their position.

7. Babyish nicknames

“Sweetie,” “honey,” “girls”—these terms are used to refer to adult, professional colleagues. Such terms create an imbalance that has no place in a professional relationship.

8. Invisibility

Not being included in decisions, important emails, informal lunches, or after-work gatherings—where the real trade-offs are made. Exclusion from informal networks is a subtle but powerful form of sexism.

9. The default delegate is a woman

“We have a topic on diversity, psychosocial risks, and well-being—that’s right up your alley, isn’t it?” Topics perceived as “feminine” or “soft” are automatically delegated to women, reinforcing stereotypes.

10. Questioning Leadership

“She’s a bit cold/authoritarian/difficult.” The adjectives used to describe women’s leadership are often different (and more negative) than those used for men in identical situations.

How to Respond to Everyday Sexism

If you witness

  • Describe what you see: “I notice that [first name] has been interrupted several times. Can we let her finish?”
  • Rephrase it to give credit for the idea: “As [first name] mentioned earlier…”
  • Send the author a private message to let them know that their behavior is inappropriate
  • Support the affected person after the incident

If you are a victim

  • Put your feelings into words: “That comment makes me uncomfortable.”
  • Document: Note down the facts (date, time, witnesses, exact statements)
  • Notify: your manager, the harassment liaison, HR, or employee representatives
  • Don’t suffer in silence: everyday sexism is all the more difficult to deal with because it’s so commonplace

If you are a manager

  • Always speak up: turning a blind eye to sexist behavior is tantamount to condoning it
  • Get trained: specialized training will give you the tools to prevent and respond
  • Lead by example: Your behavior sets the standard for your team

Preventing everyday sexism: a collective effort

Responding on a case-by-case basis is necessary but insufficient. A genuine policy to prevent sexism in the workplace combines awareness-raising, training, and changing practices. Raising awareness about sexism in the workplace is the first step toward bringing to light what has become normalized and empowering everyone to take action.

Accordia offers formats tailored to this approach: training sessions, awareness-raising games, and a traveling exhibition.