AlisonF
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International Women’s Day... what to think?
I am totally and utterly opposed to positive discrimination. I’ve seen women promoted over others before their merit, causing friction with the guys they were promoted over. Then not being experienced enough to do the job, so letting down the rest of us working so hard.
Yes we need more women in senior positions. Without a shadow of a doubt they bring diversity. And with it, very often a determination brought by having to overcome obstacles along the way.
I had many arguments in a large international company around diversity. The questionnaires only being sent to female expats. Hello, do you not think the male colleagues are married to a female they met at Uni and had given up her career to follow him? I insisted the questionnaires were sent to all staff, expat and local, male and female. I also asked for data around women progressing through the ranks. If you only have 25 out of 150 when I studied in late 80’s. Naturally you would expect a similar proportion when they are 50. But some stopped when they had children and others took time out. So you are comparing apples and pears.
Myself, I was told whilst seeking to be a sponsored student at British Steel that they were rejecting me (after interview) because the foreman refused to work with women. 1985.
In 1998 I was followed home by a colleague (whom I only let in because my boss was there). After my boss left he went on to assault me and admitted it. The company had no harassment policy (legally required in that country for a company with 40+ staff. They had 4000). Nothing was done.
In 2008/9 my job was stolen by a guy who did not like working with women. The company admitted they broke the law. Nothing was done.
My mother studied physics at Oxford in 1956. She is a hero. I can only hope I have done her proud. Love you mum (even if you are not on fb). You were and still are a role model to many.
So much more can and needs to be done to capitalise on the extremely talented women on this planet.
So a very very long intro... but I don’t want to see an International Women’s day without an International Men’s day. Otherwise ‘equality’ is ‘inequality’.
What I want to see is more education from a young age that shows boys and girls the joy that science and engineering can bring, and also recognise the management skills many women have inherently.
Sorry if I’ve rambled too long. And totally accept others may disagree.
Hats off to all women around the world.
I am totally and utterly opposed to positive discrimination. I’ve seen women promoted over others before their merit, causing friction with the guys they were promoted over. Then not being experienced enough to do the job, so letting down the rest of us working so hard.
Yes we need more women in senior positions. Without a shadow of a doubt they bring diversity. And with it, very often a determination brought by having to overcome obstacles along the way.
I had many arguments in a large international company around diversity. The questionnaires only being sent to female expats. Hello, do you not think the male colleagues are married to a female they met at Uni and had given up her career to follow him? I insisted the questionnaires were sent to all staff, expat and local, male and female. I also asked for data around women progressing through the ranks. If you only have 25 out of 150 when I studied in late 80’s. Naturally you would expect a similar proportion when they are 50. But some stopped when they had children and others took time out. So you are comparing apples and pears.
Myself, I was told whilst seeking to be a sponsored student at British Steel that they were rejecting me (after interview) because the foreman refused to work with women. 1985.
In 1998 I was followed home by a colleague (whom I only let in because my boss was there). After my boss left he went on to assault me and admitted it. The company had no harassment policy (legally required in that country for a company with 40+ staff. They had 4000). Nothing was done.
In 2008/9 my job was stolen by a guy who did not like working with women. The company admitted they broke the law. Nothing was done.
My mother studied physics at Oxford in 1956. She is a hero. I can only hope I have done her proud. Love you mum (even if you are not on fb). You were and still are a role model to many.
So much more can and needs to be done to capitalise on the extremely talented women on this planet.
So a very very long intro... but I don’t want to see an International Women’s day without an International Men’s day. Otherwise ‘equality’ is ‘inequality’.
What I want to see is more education from a young age that shows boys and girls the joy that science and engineering can bring, and also recognise the management skills many women have inherently.
Sorry if I’ve rambled too long. And totally accept others may disagree.
Hats off to all women around the world.
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