The queen bee syndrome, whereby women in power consciously impede the development of other women in the workplace, is slowly gaining ground in South Africa
The queen bee syndrome is one in which a woman in a position of authority views or treats subordinates more critically if they are women and favours men when it comes to promotion, according to the academic literature.
Amid challenges working women face, including entering the workplace, overcoming socially constructed norms and gaining parity at work, they continue to experience the lethal sting of a queen bee who succeeded in her career, but refuses to help other women do the same. In South African labour spaces, dialogue about the queen bee has begun but has not yet gained adequate momentum. Very limited academic research using South African examples is available.
When support, development, mentorship or advice is sought from the queen bee, other women will be met with aggression and the clear, condescending tone of the power lines being drawn. The queen bee will offer no support to developing women. The princess bee will support other women as long as they do not violate her territory. Hence, she will mentor others only as long as they stay separate from her domain. The phantom bee will not facilitate finding another woman for a job vacancy — men are then allocated the job and fewer women are afforded access to new jobs. Then there is the Cinderella complex — the ugly stepsisters work together to undermine the success of one sister.
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