Woman Interrupted

Sen. Kamala Harris
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., reacts during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Kamala Harris
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., reacts during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Woman Interrupted

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

After Senate Kamala Harris was interrupted by male colleagues at least twice in Senate hearings last week, the social media backlash against her male colleagues was swift. But for many women, being interrupted or talked over is a frequent occurrence, particularly in the workplace.

A 2014 George Washington University study found that men interrupt women 33 percent more often than when talking to other men. 

What’s at play here? And what professional cost is paid when women aren’t given the space to finish their thoughts at work? Morning Shift talks to communications expert Leslie Shore about what women can do to quit being interrupted.