I was delighted to be invited to be invited to make the inaugural International Women's Day Address at the new North Metropolitan TAFE - which incorporates the former West Coast Institute of which I was MD.
The national and state gender pay gap issues have been addressed in the media. But it is worth keeping in mind the impact for today's young professional women. Ann Summers, author of The Misogyny Factor, writes that a 25 year old post graduate woman earns $1 million less over her lifetime than the young man sitting next to her in class. Enough, she adds for an apartment - even in Sydney!
It is galling to contemplate the statement put out by the International Labour Organisation which speculates that pay equity will not be achieved before 2086!
It is without question a time to 'Be Bold for Change' and this can only be done in partnership with our male colleagues. Congratulations by the way to the two men who not only attended but supported NMT female staff in the BBFC goal setting exercise.
I also addressed something else that day that I believe is important for both men and women. Recent research shows that a massive two thirds of the workforce (based on universities and hospitals in the USA*) have difficulty finding meaning and purpose at work. I can't imagine how depressing that is and given that we spend on average 30% of our lives at work, it is genuinely a tragic waste.
To rediscover meaning and purpose, according to the 2016 Workforce Purpose Index researchers^, find ways to make a difference at work, look for a new challenge and establish genuine connections with others.
I would also add that particularly, but not only, for women workers it is important 'to fit your oxygen mask' first - find ways that work for you to de-stress and re-energise so you can better work with and assist others. And finally, check in every now and then as to whether what you are doing:
- adds value to the organisation,
- fits with your values, and
- moves you one step closer to your career goals.
*Wrzesniewski A McCauly C, Rozin P, and Schwartz B, 1997
^Hurst A, Pearce A, Erickson C, Parish S, Vesty L, Schnidman A, Garlinghouse M, Pavela A, 2016