Women are celebrated in global ad campaigns by top apparel and cosmetics brands. But those same companies discriminate and silence the actual women in their workforces.
So many valid points. I can relate. I would add to #4 that our viewpoints may also differ from woman to woman based on a whole host of valid reasons. That’s okay too. “Woman” isn’t some homogeneous category any more than any other immutable trait. Let us not just speak. Let us dialogue.
I sent the article to my three daughters -- one a very conservative cop, one a very liberal artist, and one in college. I think they will all benefit from your experiences.
I wonder if this piece points to Jennifer starting her own independent jeans/fashion/apparel company in the near future. (I don't expect a yes/no response from her, this is just me thinking out loud.)
How can we draw more attention to how few businesses walk their talk? Most people don't know or see anything about any company beyond their advertising. I would like to say I would research before I buy anything, but that's simply unrealistic.
I have to say though, working in an old boys' club is very draining. I spent 12 years in finance and consistently saw men promoted over me. It didn't help that I could get all of my work done in less than 20 hours a week. My options were to literally waste my life away sitting at work with nothing to do just for "face time" or to go home and develop a more interesting life outside of work. Ultimately, I had to go out and become my own boss in order to control my time. I'll never go back to working for anyone else at this point, but I have always been an efficient and hard worker.
Ha. And Sustainalytics gives those "wonderful" a very favorable "low" ESG risk score of 17 (out of 100..."100" as in an "Exxon spewing tons of carbon!" thingy). All that tells me is that Larry Fink's BlackRock must be in love with your old company, Jennifer. What a crock this whole ESG nonsense is.
Jennifer - I am sympathetic to this. But what is the incentive to pass over capable women for advancement and promotion? There isn’t any. The companies that do lose. And I don’t understand your point about equal pay - men work more STEM and dangerous jobs. And work more hours on average (women choose child bearing, it is nature). As a manager - why would I pay a capable woman less? I will lose! It makes no sense to me. Help me understand!
I had five kids while working full-time in the California State Legislature. I quit in 2005 and now work for myself. I had mixed experiences as a working mom. I love being a mom; I loved my job. I made more money than my husband so I had to work, but I also wanted to work. When I had baby #2, my boss (a man) was more than accommodating ... he moved me into a private office so that I could pump; he wanted me to come back after 6 weeks because at the time I was the only person who could do a specific task (I trained someone, but it was highly technical.) So because I wanted my full 4 months, he said I could bring the baby to work with me. I did until she was 6 months old. The ONLY person who complained about this arrangement was a woman. ... Fast forward 8 years. (we had a big break between my first two and last three) ... I was pregnant with #4. My job did not require me to be in the office when the legislature was in session, but my boss then (now a woman) ordered all of us to "be available" no matter how late. I was pregnant with 3 kids at home. My husband also worked in the legislature and his job required him to be available when the legislature was in session. So I would have had to hire a babysitter to stay ALL NIGHT. I said no. She told me that I "Needed to get my priorities straight." I walked out before saying what I wanted to say to her (which would have been rude) about her own kids who she constantly had problems with BECAUSE SHE WAS NEVER HOME. I made a conscious decision at that point that I would pursue my dream (and ultimately be self-employed) so that I could manage my time between working and raising my family. It took me a couple of years but I did it ... and quit my job. .... One thing I'd say is that women, like every other group of people, are not monoliths who all think the same. I'm really tired of corporations and politicians trying to group us all together as if we think lock-step with one another.
So many valid points. I can relate. I would add to #4 that our viewpoints may also differ from woman to woman based on a whole host of valid reasons. That’s okay too. “Woman” isn’t some homogeneous category any more than any other immutable trait. Let us not just speak. Let us dialogue.
Yes true!!
Yes. I completely agree.
I sent the article to my three daughters -- one a very conservative cop, one a very liberal artist, and one in college. I think they will all benefit from your experiences.
That's kind. I hope so too.
I wonder if this piece points to Jennifer starting her own independent jeans/fashion/apparel company in the near future. (I don't expect a yes/no response from her, this is just me thinking out loud.)
Ha. Good suggestion. Not on the docket at the moment!
How can we draw more attention to how few businesses walk their talk? Most people don't know or see anything about any company beyond their advertising. I would like to say I would research before I buy anything, but that's simply unrealistic.
I have to say though, working in an old boys' club is very draining. I spent 12 years in finance and consistently saw men promoted over me. It didn't help that I could get all of my work done in less than 20 hours a week. My options were to literally waste my life away sitting at work with nothing to do just for "face time" or to go home and develop a more interesting life outside of work. Ultimately, I had to go out and become my own boss in order to control my time. I'll never go back to working for anyone else at this point, but I have always been an efficient and hard worker.
Thx for this. Really well done.
Thank you Kenny!
Ha. And Sustainalytics gives those "wonderful" a very favorable "low" ESG risk score of 17 (out of 100..."100" as in an "Exxon spewing tons of carbon!" thingy). All that tells me is that Larry Fink's BlackRock must be in love with your old company, Jennifer. What a crock this whole ESG nonsense is.
Jennifer - I am sympathetic to this. But what is the incentive to pass over capable women for advancement and promotion? There isn’t any. The companies that do lose. And I don’t understand your point about equal pay - men work more STEM and dangerous jobs. And work more hours on average (women choose child bearing, it is nature). As a manager - why would I pay a capable woman less? I will lose! It makes no sense to me. Help me understand!
and now you will be labeled a TEFR
I know. I already have been.
I had five kids while working full-time in the California State Legislature. I quit in 2005 and now work for myself. I had mixed experiences as a working mom. I love being a mom; I loved my job. I made more money than my husband so I had to work, but I also wanted to work. When I had baby #2, my boss (a man) was more than accommodating ... he moved me into a private office so that I could pump; he wanted me to come back after 6 weeks because at the time I was the only person who could do a specific task (I trained someone, but it was highly technical.) So because I wanted my full 4 months, he said I could bring the baby to work with me. I did until she was 6 months old. The ONLY person who complained about this arrangement was a woman. ... Fast forward 8 years. (we had a big break between my first two and last three) ... I was pregnant with #4. My job did not require me to be in the office when the legislature was in session, but my boss then (now a woman) ordered all of us to "be available" no matter how late. I was pregnant with 3 kids at home. My husband also worked in the legislature and his job required him to be available when the legislature was in session. So I would have had to hire a babysitter to stay ALL NIGHT. I said no. She told me that I "Needed to get my priorities straight." I walked out before saying what I wanted to say to her (which would have been rude) about her own kids who she constantly had problems with BECAUSE SHE WAS NEVER HOME. I made a conscious decision at that point that I would pursue my dream (and ultimately be self-employed) so that I could manage my time between working and raising my family. It took me a couple of years but I did it ... and quit my job. .... One thing I'd say is that women, like every other group of people, are not monoliths who all think the same. I'm really tired of corporations and politicians trying to group us all together as if we think lock-step with one another.