Manifestation of labor discrimination in the academe through workload disparity based on marital status and sex

Abstract

This study examines how gender and marital status influence the distribution of workload among faculty members in a Philippine state university, where salaries are standardized. Although standardized pay structures eliminate traditional wage gaps, discrimination may persist through the unequal assignment of work tasks. Building on literature that highlights the gendered division of labor in academia, where women are disproportionately tasked with academic housework such as committee work, administrative duties, and community service, this study investigates disparities across different types of faculty work. Using propensity score matching and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment, the analysis finds no significant differences in total workload across gender and marital status. However, disparities in task allocation are evident. Female faculty members, particularly those who are married, are significantly more likely to shoulder additional committee work and extension responsibilities. These tasks, while essential to institutional operations, are often undervalued in tenure and promotion decisions, potentially hindering career advancement and contributing to job dissatisfaction. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of how structural inequalities persist in academic settings despite standardized compensation. This study contributes to the limited literature on workload inequality in Philippine higher education, underscoring the need for university policies that promote equitable task distribution to foster fairer and more inclusive career opportunities for all faculty members.