LAST month Spain made history when it became the first European country to entitle workers to paid menstrual leave, as well as passing numerous sexual and reproductive rights laws – with Europe almost 76 years behind Japan and Indonesia in introducing such legislation.
Not all agree with menstrual laws, but when it comes to gender parity in terms of pay and power, there is still progress to be made.
Latest figures show women are more likely than men to be working in jobs paying the National Minimum Wage and, in the latest figures available, just 37.7% of FTSE100 directorships were held by women.
There are women in Derby and Derbyshire, though, who are determined to make a change as we celebrate International Women’s Day. People like Emma Tice, Head of Employment Law and HR at growing Derby business Precept.
The high-flying mum-of-two has been qualified for more than 10 years, and joined the Mansfield Road company from national law firm Geldards, where she led their Midlands Employment Team.
She said that the best way to nurture female talent is to be kind and considerate. Emma also believes that women need to be kinder to themselves and each other.
“The pressures on women are all encompassing. We are expected to be super-mum, super-housekeeper, super-employee, super-boss…the list goes on.
“Whilst we are moving much more towards equality, it remains the case that generally speaking, women are the project managers on all things home and child related, if they have them. So many women feel this pressure and that leads to the high level of burn-out in women.
“Anyone juggling so many balls is bound to drop one every now and again – and that is where guilt enters. We have moved away from doing all the cooking and cleaning, but 75% of the time we are the ones with a handle on homelife; holidays, opticians’ appointments, non-uniform days at school, birthday parties, what’s for dinner…the list is endless.
“That is a pressure cooker in itself but add in a career, and you have a melting pot of stress.
“Anxiety and stress amongst women is on the increase. Factor in, later in life, the menopause – which is a hot topic right now – and it’s no wonder that we are losing talented females from the workplace. A staggering 52% of women surveyed recently for the Fawcett Society’s report ‘Menopause and the Workplace’ reported being affected by a lack of confidence at work due to the menopause, with 61% saying that they had lost motivation.
“The struggle is real, but there is no shame in asking for help. Companies now have a better understanding of wellbeing and menopause in the workplace – although there is still a lot of work to do – and, as we come together for International Women’s Day, it’s time to stand up and be proud; women are great, women are warriors, sometimes women need support, and that is OK!”
Chrissa Wadlow, founder of Sunshine Support – a Derby-based organisation that supports children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families – agrees with this.
She said: “It’s important to understand your core beliefs and what is important to you, and what you want to achieve from life in general, is essential.
“Now in my 40s, I have discovered – the hard way – that you cannot be everything to everyone at all times. So it is vital to meet your own needs and enjoy some quality self-care before you go offering yourself out to anyone or anything else.
“It’s OK to say no. I’m a 42-year-old mother of four who works long hours within my own business, whilst practicing all of this myself. The balance is never perfect but that’s the beauty; it’s a working progress.”
So can women have it all?
“I wanted to be able to argue that we had moved on since this archaic comment, as published by the BBC following the resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern,” said Bev Wakefield owner of award-winning Vibrant Accountancy.
“I wanted to say that we were starting to value family choices rather than it being a mother’s choice, and that indeed there were more opportunities out there now than there had been before.
“But, also, that it’s not perhaps just women who have struggled to achieve it all; I know of many men who have had to make sacrifices, too.
“I want there to be socially accepted norms on being able to be breadwinners and caregivers for both sexes.
“The key here is infrastructure and we’ve not got this quite right yet, but if we use our neighbours across the seas in Norway, they are entitled to three months’ paternity pay – and are frowned upon if they don’t take it.
“I’d like to see us embrace family at our core. Let’s embrace flexibility and choices; I’m fortunate to have the choice to pursue both.
“Let’s make it all about human equality.”
Anna Hutton is co-founder of flourishing Derbyshire marketing agency Macmartin. She also believes that the question means different things to different people.
“It depends on what ‘having it all means to you,’ she said. “To me, it means being able to do a bit of both. By both, I mean being a present parent and wife, as well as running my own business.
“I can absolutely do this with support from my husband, business partner, colleagues, school and my wider support network, but certainly couldn’t do it alone. It also comes with lots of compromise – missing the occasional sports day or important meetings – and you will no doubt drop a few plates along the way, but so long as you are realistic about what ‘having it all means’, you can absolutely have it all!”
With her professional and personal interest in the influence of the Internet – Anna is gaining a reputation for her work promoting healthy social media use amongst teens – should we question where we are getting our ideas on what it means to have it all?
Yes, says Anna.
“’Having it all’ is portrayed as a woman being able to have a successful career, be a present parent, caring partner, whilst staying fit, healthy and looking at their best,” she says. “Though most women might be able to manage this occasionally… it’s not sustainable or realistic.
“I research and talk about the topic of social media and mental health a lot, and we know social media can have a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing. I always encourage people to remember the reality behind the screen. Behind each picture of a perfectly presented house is a room with a closed door piled high with laundry. Behind each post about a seemingly perfect child is the knowledge that yesterday they drew all over the wall…. and behind each story of business success is the sleepless nights in anticipation of something going wrong.
“We should set our own parameters about what ‘having it all’ means, and not compare our version to anyone else’s.”
As far as keeping talent goes, MacMartin – which employs many female staff, and is run by co-founders Anna and her sister Claire – knows a thing or two.
“You can throw as many perks, pay rises and fad incentives at your female staff as you like, but it won’t make the majority of them stay,” says Anna with frankness.
“At the top of my list to retain talent are trust and autonomy. Every member of your team will be facing a different battle – childcare, pregnancy, menopause, illness or specific personal circumstances. By trusting your team and giving them autonomy to plan their own workload and juggle all other aspects of their lives is, in my experience, the most successful way to retain female talent, whilst hugely benefiting the business with a reciprocal respect and dedication.”
And here’s to that.
