What's a whisper network?

 A monthly letter/column as written for & published also by Women in Transportation Services

Dear Dennie,

What’s a whisper network and why does it exist?

No Secrets

Dear No Secrets,

A whisper network is an informal chain of information passed privately, usually between women, often focused on sharing who or what might be negatively influencing the security and/or abilities of women in the workplace. 

It is meant to be helpful, especially in environments where transparency is not practiced or encouraged. Often the network is willing to share what they know if asked; many are focused on finding solutions and helping the conversations come to the table. 

Mentoring is a means to take the informal information and work together to find action plans for an individual. 

Below are our panel’s notes from the discussion held at the Women in Transportation Services workshop May 25, 2020.

Top 10 things currently just in our "whisper network":

1. Being asked to do administrative tasks (minutes, notes), and being judged as difficult if you object or refuse
2. Dress code- stronger perception of how women dress compared to male counterparts, being judged more strongly on external appearances
3. Innuendos & favouritism, speculation that can originate from male/female mentor/sponsor relationships
4. Undermining technical knowledge because you are female, being judged as a "quota hire" or tokenism vs getting to be known for capabilities
5. Job security, both through Covid19 and in technology in general (rapidly changing industry where you are always having to reskill and upskill)
6. Being intimated to ask for promotions or raises especially with male bosses
7. Having the boldness to broach hard topics
8. Judgement of flex hours, many places have flexible policies but there is an unspoken stigma when they are used (i.e. leaving early, even if you started earlier, because others are still in the office)
9. Career growth through family planning, being promoted if you have children or are perceived to be having children soon
10. Showing emotions, balancing being tough (and the "bitch" perception) with being kind (and the "soft" or "emotional" perception)