THE HIRING DILEMMA: A CASE ABOUT CHAMPIONING FOR GENDER EQUITY HIRING AT A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUITION

Abstract

This case study addressed the challenges and concerns of championing a female faculty candidate in a higher education setting. The story depicts a newly hired female accounting professor who showed promising career potential and quickly moved on to another flagship state institution for a more lucrative offer. Her departure drew animosity and criticism from colleagues of her original institution. The young professor was criticized for receiving a high entry-level salary, being granted maternity leave one year after her hiring, and leaving for another position with less than three years of commitment. Even the administrator of her original institution somewhat felt the heat of her betrayal and disloyalty. However, the female professor had every right to request maternity leave and seek professional advancement. The problem at this juncture is that the search committee members of her original institution later intentionally ignored the qualified female candidates because they feared duplicating this negative hiring experience. Readers of this case will delve into the potential benefits of promoting paid leave and supporting gender-equity hiring.