Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace by Jessica Bennett

Summary

'Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace' by Jessica Bennett is a witty, practical guide for working women navigating sexism in the modern workplace. Drawing from both research and personal experience, Bennett offers actionable advice, clever strategies, and solidarity to help women push back against subtle and overt discrimination. The book blends humor, storytelling, and sharp cultural critique, making workplace feminism accessible and empowering for a broad audience.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Recognize and name workplace microaggressions, as naming discriminatory behaviors helps disarm them and encourages collective resistance.

2. Build alliances with other women and allies at work to create networks of mutual support, transforming competition into solidarity.

3. Actively challenge sexist workplace norms by speaking up, setting boundaries, and supporting others doing the same, fostering cultural change within organizations.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2016

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 88

Practical Examples

1. The Manterrupter Counter-Strategy

   Bennett identifies the phenomenon of women being interrupted or talked over in meetings. She suggests practical ways to handle this, such as asserting oneself politely but firmly, repeating one’s point, or enlisting colleagues to reinforce women’s contributions. This tactic helps reclaim space and sets new patterns of respect in workplace discussions.

2. Amplification Tactics

   In male-dominated environments, women’s ideas are often ignored or later credited to men. The book advocates 'amplification,' where women intentionally repeat and attribute each other’s ideas during meetings to ensure proper recognition and visibility. This collective approach strengthens women’s voices and supports accurate credit sharing.

3. Counteracting the 'Office Mom' Trap

   Many women are expected to perform unappreciated emotional labor, like organizing birthdays or soothing team conflicts. Bennett encourages women to set boundaries, politely decline extra non-promotable work, and share responsibility equally among all team members, helping to shift workplace expectations and free up time for core tasks.

4. Salary Negotiation Scripts

   The book provides example scripts and templates women can use to negotiate salaries, raise issues of pay equity, or counteroffer effectively. Bennett emphasizes research and preparation, highlighting phrases and strategies that empower women to advocate for their worth without fear of backlash.

5. Dealing with Credit-Stealing Colleagues

   To combat colleagues who steal credit for women’s work, Bennett recommends writing visible, timely documentation of ideas and progress, sending group recap emails, and calling out misattributions diplomatically but directly. This transparency makes it harder for credit to be misassigned and models assertive communication for others.

6. Handling Mansplaining Situations

   Bennett gives advice for responding when men explain things condescendingly to women, even when the women are experts. Suggested responses range from assertive interruption to humor and documentation of expertise. These methods help women maintain authority and shift patterns of condescension.

7. The 'Bitch' Trope Reframe

   Women who are assertive are often unfairly labeled as 'bitchy.' The book encourages reframing assertiveness as leadership and offers coping responses, such as calmly asking for feedback or highlighting leadership intentions, to reduce emotional burden and challenge gendered stereotypes.

8. Cultivating an Accountability Squad

   Bennett urges women to select a group of trusted friends or peers—their 'fight club'—to provide advice, feedback, and moral support. This accountability network helps women process experiences and develop proactive strategies for challenging situations.