Talking down to a female coworker is like speaking to a child. The tone of voice and language used is filled with kindness and therefore seems innocent. Yet speaking to a coworker like a child is not an innocent act. The method of communication is degrading and assumes that the female is a less advanced human being, a person that needs to be coddled and cared for like a baby. Because women have been taught to expect and accept such tones of voice in daily communications, they might ignore or be ignorant of sexist language.

Making fun of or criticizing females in positions of power is another way that sexism remains present in professional communications. Females in positions of power are held to a double standard that men are not held to. For example, women in positions of power are expected to be stereotypically feminine while at the same time garner enough respect to be taken as seriously...

A man does not have to look as good as a woman. Stereotypes about what women are supposed to wear, look like, or act like continue to affect the role of women in the workplace. Positions of power remain reserved for males, and females who attempt to fill those positions face tremendous personal struggles. The idea that women, and especially women who also want to raise families, are somehow different from men is an idea that is outmoded but continues to affect workplace communications.
Many women suffer in silence when their coworkers use sexist language. Overt signs of sexism like calling a woman pet names or commenting on her outfit are easy to detect but the most important types of sexist language are the ones least noticeable. Although sexism is diminishing from the professional stage, professionals should work harder to tame and eventually eliminate gender bias.