Why is it that the wife or female partner seems to organise everything for Christmas.
Some of the things that are left to me are:
Planning and buying Christmas Presents
Cleaning and tidying the house
Organising the kids
Wrapping the presents
Mailing the presents
Buying and cooking the food
Making the food
Let’s hope that my presents look this nice once wrapped up. I’m sure no one will care once they rip off the paper to get to the present.
My family only buy for the kids. The adults have everything they need or want, and I suppose if someone really needs something they either buy it themselves or might get it as a gift from others at a later stage.
Since my family is sorted and I just need to get kids presents then this leaves hubby’s family.
Hubby’s family buy for everyone which is nice, but if you are me and have limited time and really not sure what to get people it is hard indeed.
There are only so many times you can get someone a cup or another item that will get pushed to the back of the cupboard, and possibly never used.
I like to get people something different, interesting gifts that they would not get for themselves. I also love to buy things that people will use, want and need.
Buying people gifts that they will indeed need and use is hard when you are not sure what they have or really would like for Christmas.
I tried to employ a tactic this year to make hubby get responsible for his families present buying. He used the excuse that he is busy with work and therefore doesn’t have any time to do this shopping. He also used the other angle of not knowing what to purchase.
Geeez like I am a present seer and can know exactly what is in people’s brains. Maybe I am. Maybe I have an inner gift or special skill that I am unaware of.
One approach I used was to say that since hubby was near a big shopping centre he could go to Thursday late night shopping. Shop alone and without kids, think about what to get and then secretly bring it all back. This I thought would alleviate stress and make things easier on both of us.
He, of course, did not like this idea….. typical I thought.
I still don’t see why running around like a mad person to get things for everyone is all up to me!
Due to not getting the time to touch base of what I had already purchased and to think of what items we give to what family member it is hard to know what we still need to purchase.
Today I managed to get hubby to see all the things I have already got and we did a stocktake of items we still need to get.
Due to hubby not willing to do the shopping and the fact that Christmas is nearly here, I said the following:
“If you are not willing to go and get the shopping for your family, and now the kids are on holiday it makes it harder for me. I’m not taking the kids shopping with me to finalise the present shopping. I’ll go on Saturday and do it on my own. You mind the kids and I will have the day to get it done”
So I have spent a day by myself at the shops mostly trying to get the missing presents we needed.
I took a break from shopping to have some food and a much-needed coffee. Yummy!
Being out by myself today is a good outcome of having to do the present shopping. I get a well-deserved break. Quiet time and can finally enter shops without telling kids to not touch things and be always on alert.
It is a very hot day and I have finally found a place that is air-conditioned to have a cool drink and a snack before I get the final present and then food for the house.
I think next year I will go on strike and hubby can organise everything.
Being in a paid job is not the only criteria for being busy and not having time to get things done. I have three kids, until recently they were in school and due to the end of the year, there were functions to be at which meant I had to be at the school until about 11am. This then meant that I had less than an hour to get something done for me and then to be back at school for 2.55pm.
Now kids are on holiday I cannot get things done without taking them with me. The baby will still be going to care so that is a plus and I’m grateful for that.
I too have a job (I blog) and have deadlines and commitments. It is a hard juggle and like any working mum would tell you it is busy.
Have you had the chat to your boyfriend/husband or partner about why it seems like it is all up to you? Have you put your hands in the air and declared that you are on strike?
I think a strike is needed next year.
I am so tired and there still more to do:
Cleaning the house
Removing clutter
Wrapping presents
And possibly much more than I have forgotten about now.
Does this happen at your house?
You are the one that organises everything for everybody? I am exhausted and it is not Christmas yet.
Or do you share the Christmas organsiation at your place? Let us know how it works?
I am glad that I have had some time alone but could have lived without racing around getting last minute gifts.
Originally posted 17 December 2017
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I’ve recently been on the job hunt. It was stressful and very depressing.
Why you ask?
Well, I was getting questions that shouldn’t be asked at all. The questions fell into the following topics:
Parental status inquiries: Seriously, why is this even a thing? Last time I checked, my ability to do the job wasn’t determined by my offspring count.
Postcode obsession: Just to be clear, when I mention my postcode, I’m not sending out invites for a neighbourhood block party. Let’s keep the focus where it belongs—on my qualifications, not my street address.
The sad reality of job hunting for women: It’s like navigating a minefield of sexism and discrimination at every turn. From biased questions to unequal treatment, it’s a frustrating journey.
It all boils down to one thing: Can you do the job, rock those skills, and bring a can-do attitude? Not your sex, postcode, or parental status matters here.
“If you exclude 50% of the talent pool, it’s no wonder you find yourself in a war for talent.” Theresa J. Whitmarsh, Executive Director of the Washington State Investment Board. Image sourced from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/03/quotes-on-women-at-work/
Ah, picture this scenario: Imagine being nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Blue Mountains, where kangaroos might just be your neighbours and the sound of a kookaburra’s laugh is your morning alarm. That’s where our story begins!
So, there I was, having a chat with a recruiter who seemed to think that commuting from the tranquil mountains to bustling North Sydney was like attempting to teleport to Mars. “Sorry, darling, but that commute just ain’t happening!” she exclaimed as if the concept of travel beyond the hills was a mythical tale.
And oh, the fun didn’t stop there! The recruiter, bless her heart, seemed convinced that being a mum meant I could only handle jobs on a part-time basis, as if my superpower was limited to juggling the house and kids instead of full-time work. But hey, I proudly declared, “Yes, I am on the lookout for a full-time gig!”
I even tried to reassure her that hopping on a train was as easy as snagging the last lamington at a bake sale, but she just couldn’t let go of her travel woes. It was like convincing a koala that eucalyptus leaves are so last season!
Then came the kicker: the whole “working from home” debate. When I floated the idea, it was like suggesting we paint the Sydney Opera House hot pink – a firm no-go. But lo and behold, after bidding adieu and sending a polite email, suddenly the tune changed. Flexibility? In this economy? Who would’ve thought!
But alas, despite the picturesque backdrop of the mountains and the potential for work-life balance, something just didn’t sit right. Call it intuition or maybe just good old-fashioned common sense, but diving deeper into the interview process only led to a virtual face-off with the rudest of interviewers.
This Zoom encounter felt more like a scene from a comedy of errors, with the interviewer tossing insults and criticisms like confetti at a parade. It was as if she couldn’t fathom that a mountain mum could also be a professional powerhouse. But hey, I stood my ground, reminding her that qualifications and skills don’t come with a gender bias.
In the end, it was a tale of mismatched expectations, a dash of rudeness, discrimination and a sprinkle of disbelief – all served with a side of resilience and a reminder to always trust your gut, especially when it’s screaming, “Abort mission!”
Why is my family life and travel situation suddenly in the spotlight? It is off-topic, wouldn’t you say?
“Any society that fails to harness the energy and creativity of its women is at a huge disadvantage in the modern world.” Tian Wei, CCTV News. Image sourced from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/03/quotes-on-women-at-work/
Not only was the job opportunity in North Sydney glaringly misrepresented, but it also turned out to be a bit of a unicorn hunt. You see, they advertised for a Marketing Manager, but what they really needed was a Chief Marketing Officer to build everything from scratch. Now, that could’ve been an exciting challenge, but the interviewer seemed more interested in building barriers than bridges. The phone interview felt like a rollercoaster of aggression and discrimination, leaving me absolutely certain that if I were offered the position, I’d politely decline.
Now, onto the next adventure in job hunting! This time, the opportunity was in Western Sydney, and I was totally fine with that. I knew I’d have to make the trek to the office, but they did offer some work-from-home days, which was a nice touch. However, the interviewer, another woman (go figure!), seemed to think I needed a geography lesson. She bombarded me with emails and calls, listing off the exact mileage between my home and the office, as if I hadn’t already scoped it out before applying. I mean, seriously, why the obsession with my commute?
Despite assuring her that I was perfectly content with the travel arrangements, she just wouldn’t drop it. It felt like everyone was making a mountain out of a molehill! And don’t even get me started on the recurring theme of being judged based on where I live and the fact that I’m a mother. It’s like people have this preconceived notion that being a mum means you can’t possibly handle a full-time gig in the office. Newsflash: I’m more than capable, thank you very much!
Fast forward to another opportunity: after enduring a marathon second interview that lasted nearly three hours, I was later told that I didn’t “fit the business” due to my location and family situation. Can you believe it? Talk about a real slap in the face!
But wait, there’s more. They even threw in some extra feedback for good measure: You had some B2B experience (they knew this and liked my strategy examples and how to change focus for different products and drive sales) “Your interview was solid, but additional concerns were raised over this being a full-time, office-based role, and travel, and the potential impact this may have on your long-term employment.”
I don’t believe that my location was asked at the first interview and this made them decide to not hire me when they found out where I lived. It’s beyond frustrating to witness how outdated attitudes still hold sway over who gets a shot at what roles. And don’t even get me started on the absurdity of postcode discrimination – it’s enough to make your blood boil!
I found a fabulous and fantastic job. The team have been welcoming and friendly, they are family friendly, and I work 1 day a week in the office and the rest of the week from home. I am grateful beyond words that the universe made this happen and thankful that the offer that I got is a place that fits in with my family and allows me to contribute to the business and my career.
Ah, you know what? Looking back, I’m actually thankful I didn’t land that job. It’s like the universe had other plans in store for me, leading me straight to the wonderful opportunity I’ve recently embarked on. It’s funny how things work out sometimes, isn’t it? (I am very happy with my new job and glad that I kissed a lot of frogs to land a prince of a placement).
As the world gradually scales back on remote work options, it’s becoming increasingly clear that women will bear the brunt of this shift. With fewer opportunities for flexible arrangements, many are finding themselves trapped in a conundrum where finding suitable employment becomes a Herculean task. This not only impacts their ability to earn a living and contribute to their financial security but also restricts their freedom to navigate life’s challenges, such as leaving a relationship while maintaining stability.
While COVID-19 brought about myriad challenges, one silver lining was the widespread acceptance and success of remote work. Leveraging technology, we witnessed how seamlessly many roles adapted to remote setups, fostering productivity and work-life balance. So, why backtrack on this progress? Insisting on in-office presence as a measure of productivity feels archaic, reminiscent of a bygone era when physical presence equated to commitment.
Yet, my encounters weren’t isolated incidents. Almost every interview was marred by intrusive, sexist inquiries that left me seething with frustration. I vividly recall a particularly exasperating exchange with a young recruiter who seemed fixated on my ability to balance work and motherhood. Despite demonstrating my capability and track record, I was continually prodded about childcare arrangements as if my gender predetermined my competence.
And the irony? These interrogations occurred for roles explicitly advertised as remote, underscoring the absurdity of it all. The disparity in treatment between men and women in the hiring process is glaring, perpetuating age-old stereotypes and hindering progress towards gender equality.
The ramifications extend beyond mere inconvenience; they threaten to exacerbate existing inequalities in earning potential and financial security. Women, already burdened by the gender pay gap, now face the added hurdle of limited job opportunities. This not only jeopardises their present but also casts a shadow on their future, especially concerning retirement planning and financial independence.
With two daughters poised to enter the workforce, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the persisting barriers they’ll encounter.
Questions loom large:
When will women be judged on their merits alone?
Why are skills and abilities overshadowed by archaic notions of gender roles?
And why do women continue to face discrimination at the hands of their own gender?
These questions demand answers. It’s time to dismantle the barriers that confine women to outdated stereotypes and unequal treatment. After all, the strength of our workforce lies in diversity, and it’s high time we embraced it fully.”
If I was a man, how different would my working life be?
As I reminisce about my youthful days, envisioning a dynamic mid 20-something with aspirations as vast as the moon itself, I recall taking a bold leap towards an exciting opportunity in film production. Picture me, filled with starry-eyed enthusiasm, when suddenly, I’m hit with the age-old question: “Are you planning on having kids?” Swiftly, I respond, “Perhaps someday, but let’s hit pause on that topic for now,” followed by a playful reality check to the interviewer, questioning the relevance of such a query.
But alas, did my honesty strike a dissonant chord? Spoiler alert: I didn’t secure the position. This led me to ponder whether I deviated from their expected narrative, or perhaps—here’s the kicker—that question should have been omitted entirely, particularly when posed to women whose talents extend far beyond maternal considerations.
It’s akin to a broken record, isn’t it? The familiar refrain of sexist and impertinent inquiries that echo through countless interviews. I can’t help but wonder, if I were a man, would they have refrained from delving into personal matters? Would my calling out of the off-key note prompt a swift acknowledgment and a change in direction? Or perhaps, in an alternate reality, such questions wouldn’t even warrant consideration.
At times, I find myself daydreaming about a male iteration of myself. Would the spotlight cast a different glow? Would I find myself juggling a plethora of opportunities? It’s a thought-provoking notion, one that may evoke a mixture of contemplation and frustration.
And here’s the kicker: my husband has never faced the same line of questioning in his professional endeavours, nor have my male friends. It begs the question: why the discrepancy? Why are women subjected to inquiries that their male counterparts don’t encounter?
Have you ever pondered how different the lyrics of your life’s soundtrack would be if you were a man? It’s a compelling question, inviting reflection on the complexities of privilege and perspective.
Women are still undervalued and underpaid. I cannot believe that is still happening.
“Australia’s national gender pay gap is 12 per cent. As of November 2023, the full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings across all industries and occupations was $1982.80 for men and $1744.80 for women. For every dollar on average men earned, women earned 88 cents. That’s $238 less than men each week.” https://www.wgea.gov.au/
If I were to don the hat of a man, would I still find myself precariously perched on the edge of a weekly fiscal cliff, facing a deficit of $238, dancing precariously close to an annual loss of $6,188? It’s a thought that sets my instincts ablaze, sparking a rebellion against the injustice that demands swift redress. Employment practices persist in squeezing every last cent, and unfortunately, it’s us women who often find ourselves bearing the brunt of these financial pinches.
In my recent jaunt through the job market, I encountered a relentless barrage of forms prodding for my current salary—a figure as irrelevant to the potential new role as a fish on a bicycle.
Would sticking to my guns as a woman in these negotiations mean resigning myself to settling for less? Or under a different set of societal expectations, would they have gladly offered up the industry-standard salary without batting an eyelid? It’s a question that haunts me, one I’m unable to answer as I remain firmly on the side of the gender coin labelled ‘female’.
Echoes of “The Man” ricochet around my mind as I contemplate the state of my superannuation—what whimsical twists of fate might await me had I navigated this world sporting a gentleman’s guise, free from the gaping maw of the gender pay gap?
Have you wondered what your life and career would be like if you were a man?
How about getting treated the same for pay, career opportunities and more?
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Why are we obsessed with other people’s choices, and why are we forcing what we want on others? Also, why can’t we just let people have a private life?
Jennifer Aniston’s latest interview in Allure discusses her personal struggle with fertility, how the media and everyone is focused on when and with who she will have a baby with, and Aniston is right no one is doing close-up crotch photos of men with arrows “fertile sperm!”
Why is it anyone’s business if they have children or not?
Why is it something we feel we are entitled to know or be part of?
Why are questions from strangers okay when the other person might be going through a tough time and is upset about the whole situation and in fact would rather not share anything as it is a private matter?
Why is it when a woman is over a certain age and in a relationship the question of when she will procreate a topic for everyone to suddenly get in on?
When I was with my boyfriend, now the husband, his grandmother was at me about when I was going to have a baby. When will I get pregnant? I was only in my early 20’s at this stage. I did want kids but not then. I got asked the same question about why I wasn’t pregnant, why are we waiting, why are we not married, and then from others in his family, why oh why are we not pregnant?
My answer to this question was I am not alone in this task. I cannot magically get pregnant on my own, and their son, grandson, nephew, and cousin (depending on who was asking me) were part of this equation too. Why am I the only one getting asked about this? Why is he not being harrassed about this too? Boys are responsible for when their partner gets pregnant too!!!
I was at a family function and the boyfriend’s nana grabbed my hand and wasn’t letting go for dear life. She was at me and started yelling, I need you to have a baby so I can die. I need you to have a baby so I can die! I just wanted to say NO, but then what if she had a heart attack and I was the bitch that killed his grandmother??? I was upset by all this and of course, others thought it was hilariously funny, however, I never thought it was funny. Again, I was the one that was attacked over having kids and the only one who asked, the boyfriend now the husband was left alone.
I am sure Jennifer Aniston would have loved to have a child if it could have happened. I am sure it would have been a joy. Some things don’t work out as you wanted. I thought I would have kids when I was younger, but I am an older mum and was lucky things worked out.
“I was trying to get pregnant. It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road,” says Aniston, of a period several years ago. ”
Why do we think women who have no children didn’t want any? Many have tried and it hasn’t worked out. They have tried, tried, and gone through a lot of emotions, stress and upset, and torment to hopefully have their long-desired family. Constantly asking why or when babies will happen is horrible, especially for a woman who desperately wanted to have children and hasn’t had the luck or the right circumstances to have this happen.
Also asking women about this topic for those that have long wanted kids would be upsetting and traumatic. How about we stop asking these personal questions as it really is none of our business.
Many who have finally come to terms with not having kids really don’t want to be constantly asked about this whole topic.
Women do want to spend time on their careers.
Some don’t want kids at all.
Some want kids but have issues and cannot have them, although they long for them, always.
This is not just a topic that needs to be asked of women. Men are part of the issue too.
Maybe if men were more aware of their fertility they would have children earlier. They wouldn’t put things off and be on the same page when women want to have kids. Why is it that the female gets harangued about marriage and babies? It is so terrible that we are in 2022 and somehow it is all the fault of the woman when she doesn’t have kids. Men never seemed to get asked about this at all……. So how do women get pregnant without men????????
I feel that Jennifer Aniston has finally come to a good place and is working through things. This is the same for everyone who has been through similar things, however, the frenzy about her biological clock is rude and hurtful. I can totally understand Aniston’s view and personally, if I was her after this interview I would not discuss the topic anymore. It is her private life and her business, and no one else!
Have you found that suddenly strangers and family start to ask you rude and personal questions about your fertility? When you will have kids, do you want kids and loads more???? It doesn’t just happen to famous people, it seems that women are a target for these types of behaviour and questions. Let me know.
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Winter is upon us and it was like it knew it and hit with a vengeance. From June the 1st we have had icy temperatures and winds and just very cold days and nights.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You would think that living in the Blue Mountains has made me love the cold and winters but that is so very wrong, I long for the summer days and the warm weather and to keep happy during this freezing time I am happier with toasty warm feet, a roaring fire and a nice warm drink to keep my super warm.
I was very pleased when UGG Expresssent me some of their new Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s to test out, and boy did it come at just the right time (My feet were pleased about this new addition to my wardrobe)
There are a number of bright colours to pick from and I for one normally go for black or blue, however this time I wanted to inject some colour into my world.
I was tossing up between red or purple but decided upon the purple – am more partial to blues and thought that the purple would go with my PJ’s, loungewear, and of course jeans.
When sent my request for the purple UGG Moccasin I thought it would be a bright and vibrant colour, when the shoes arrived I was eager to see the stunning colour and to try them out, however, I was relieved that they were not neon purple and a nice shade that goes with my other clothing.
Getting ready to wear my Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You can get pink, purple, yellow and red EVER UGG MIRACLE MOCCASIN WITH SPECIAL FLOWER FRAGRANCE
My normal shoe size is 7 and a half, and lately, it seems that no one makes a half size shoe. Due to not being able to get exact I always opt for the size 8 for my feet as I believe that this will give adequate room. I am not sure if it is just due to the moccasins being new and possibly my feet being a bit swollen but I have found them to be rather tight. However, after a while of wearing my new Purple UGG’s I have noticed that they are giving a little bit. I am not sure if I need the next size up or just to wear them more and break them in.
While wearing my new snazzy Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin‘s I have found that my feet stay so warm and it is like I am walking on a cushion of wool and air.
I live in a very cold place and lately, it is getting colder and colder by the day, and of course, my feet without shoes or socks get ice cold and therefore my whole body becomes freezing.
Doesn’t the purple colour match my jeans, I love purple what about you?
My Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin has been a savior to ensure that my whole body is not an ice block and allows me to wear comfortable shoes inside the house and look fabulous too.
The moccasins have a great grip rubber sole that means that you will never slip or fall over while wearing them…well I have been super impressed and with a four-year-old playing and tumbling I have been able to grip to the floor and make sure that my tootsies are comfortable to boot!
Keeping warm in my new purple UGG Moccasins and relaxing with a glass of wine
My new UGGMoccasins come with a subtle fragrance of lavender, I was worried at first if this would overpowering but it is just a hint of lavender and makes the shoes smell nice even after you have been wearing them for a while.
If you are looking for a gift for mum, your wife, girlfriend, or anyone then these amazingly warm and comfortable Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance would be perfect.
They are now priced at $50 and used to be $129, so that is a $79 saving.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s Will Help me Stay warm this Winter
What did I think?
A little snug at first but starts to loosen up (I would love to see what the size 9 feels like but happy with my purple shoes – make sure to measure your feet to ensure you get the best fit)
Love the bright colours
The wool inside makes it super soft and comfortable and my feet are always so warm
The bottom of the shoe has a great grip for a moccasin and since I live somewhere wet and cold this is great for the Blue Mountains.
I would recommend them to friends and family as they are stylish and keep your feet warm.
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The other day Alexander was watching some songs on YouTube.
One of them was the Firefighters Song for Kids from Bounce Patrol Kids. The song was catchy and the video was bright, colourful and Alexander loved it.
However the thing I couldn’t stop looking at was the fact that the only woman firefighter was dressed in a dress and thigh high patent leather/shiny boots that had a heel. (See the video below)
A dress and heels are not for firefighting! Women should wear pants, boots and the same outfit the men wear!
Why are women showing girls that they need to dress like this to fight fires? Firefighters don’t wear this and women firefighters actually wear pants and the proper boots like the men do. It’s a basic uniform for the job.
I know it looks glam to be in heels but you are fighting a fire and boots with no heel would be best.
Oh and lose the dress and just wear the pants and uniform for all firefighters please.
Show girls that they don’t have to be different and the candy for people to look at, no sparkle needed. The video was fun and having this female firefighter in pants and boots like the men wouldn’t have detracted from the video at all! As you can see I am rather annoyed at this video and the representation of women and how it will impact girls.
Why is it 2019 and there are still such alarming differences for how girls and women are being portrayed? This is not acceptable and should looked at with more care. Young kids are highly impressionable and doing this just reinforces the fact that a girl needs to be in a dress and wear high heels, which is not the case at all.
This firefighter is wearing a better outfit to fight fires. Why can’t the woman be dressed the same?
Just in case you wish to know what firefighters wear here are some images taken from the Fire NSW Website:
I don’t see any dresses or heels do you?
Have you been appalled at how girls are getting shown in video clips and other media? Do they always have to wear skirts? Dresses? Why do dress ups for girls always have a sparkly skirt and dress option? Why can’t they have pants like the boys outfits do?
Let me know what has caught your attention and why it annoyed you?
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Read on for a rant. Yes, I’ve got my cranky pants on and for good reason. I don’t understand why men think that it is okay to put women down, to not value them, to not help out and to believe due to sex it is all the woman’s job to organise the house and more!
A friend of ours popped over and while chatting I was madly folding the laundry in the living room.
I’ve been super busy like most mums and hadn’t folded the laundry, although all clean it was in a pile and some were partially folded. I thought why not try and get rid of it all and put it away, and at the same time have a chat.
This is not me, and never has been me. Men are still thinking that this is women. Cooking, caring and being a dedicated housewife/housekeeper. It is 2019 not 1950’s.
I joined in the conversation and mentioned to hubby while our mate was over that he packed a pair of the twin’s undies in Alexander’s bag and they would have been too big. I was saying that he should check the clothes to ensure that our little boy has the right clothes, jumper, adequate numbers of undies, tops and pants.
Our friend then said men cannot do this and therefore women are much better suited to housework and organising all the items for the kids. It was said that men cannot do this type of work.
I’m not sure why this is the case? Also my first thought was what fucking bullshit!
Are men missing limbs that make it hard for them to pick up items, to help out, to tidy up, help organise items for kids school bags? Or at the very least pack a lunch for a child to go to preschool.
Men are not special beings and therefore should be able to cook, clean, tidy and do everything that comes with living with others in a house.
It’s not terribly difficult work, although boring and not that exciting. However, it needs to be done! And not just by one person!
I asked hubby to pack a lunch for our little boy and he freaked out, and said what do I do? I am not sure why this is an issue to panic about. It’s just a packed lunch. Sort it out. It’s bloody simple actually.
In my opinion, I think acting stupid and lost (otherwise known as Strategic Incompetence) about an easy task means that others will do the work for you and therefore you get out of doing it. Men do this all the time, does it happen at your place?
Responding to our mutual friend I said I don’t like housework either, and why does having a penis means you are exempt?
Just an excuse to not do things in my book. Hopeless and fucking rude really!
I think we should have a detachable penis to ensure we don’t have to do shit housework all day too. I want to sit and do nothing and have someone look after me too. What about you?
Being female doesn’t mean that I have an instant love for cleaning and tidying. I have never liked it and actually, I’m not the best at this at all. I struggle to do it all and would prefer to be doing anything other than housework.
Maybe I need to adopt the panic that anyone with a penis shows me when I ask them to help or do something.
If I too look so lost, others will do the work and I can sit down and stare for hours at my phone or computer while drinking a beer, claiming that it is important work that I am doing so therefore cannot be interrupted.
Geez, it is 2019 and men are still sexist dickheads believing that women are the housekeeper and slave for everyone. I’ve got 2 degrees, I’m very smart and have other ambitions than to cook, clean and to race around for everyone else.
Do you see how lost people with penises get when asked to do something they don’t want to do? Do they claim they have no idea how to work the dishwasher, washing machine, or make a lunch box for the kids? And many other things.
I know some men are very capable so this is not directed at those that actually help the household to be more harmonious for all that live there. If you live in the house you need to contribute to help it run more smoothly.
Let me know what you’ve asked to be done and what inventive answers you have received?
I do believe that we as women need to give this stupid behaviour back to the men that dish it out.See what they say when I cannot help them when we look lost and panicked too about a certain task. Insert evil laugh!
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They were sitting at the table behind me and were discussing health matters between them and their families.
One thing that one man said really made me think.
He said, “Women don’t take heart attacks seriously”
I was very close to turning around and joining the conversation, but I didn’t. If you know me, this was hard to do as I had a lot to say but I didn’t. Yes, I was very good.
Symptoms of a heart attack in women are different than men. As a busy woman, mother and person to everyone it is so difficult to keep a check on your health too.
Unexplained fatigue can be a symptom of a heart attack. Might be hard to figure out if you are constantly fatigued as a sleep deprived mum.
I really wanted to tell these men that women generally overlook symptoms as something else. Women are busy and try to power on, and therefore end up having a heart attack when they had no idea.
It’s not that women don’t take heart attacks seriously its the fact that they believe they are too young, it will not happen, they have other symptoms and therefore think that there is no way it could be a heart attack.
Suddenly feeling sick and dizzy you might assume that you are getting the flu, need more sugar, should have drunk more water or not skipped lunch. Experiencing a heart attack if you were suddenly nauseous and dizzy would not be something I would entertain, but these are real symptoms.
In fact, more women die of heart attacks than men.
Some symptoms from WebMD that women having a heart attack can experience:
Yes looking after your health to care for others is super important, actually hugely important. However, mums are usually the last on the list.
Lately, I’ve noticed a few things that I was getting worried about. I made sure to see the doctor, get bloods done, and other things checked.
If you notice anything different please get it checked.
Skin, boobs, lack of vitamins (Being low on vitamin D can make you upset and depressed), diet, oh and get your poo checked to ensure all is good if you notice any difference in your bowel movements.
My tests have come back okay, well the bloods did.
Keep well and look after you.
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And if it does it is older people that have this happen.
Wrong.
“46% of women affected by incontinence are under 50”
In fact incontinenceand bladder leakage effects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men. These numbers show that there are a lot of people in Australia dealing with this issue.
TENA has created infographics to help simplify your understanding of incontinence and prepare yourself for it.
What is incontinence?
Although there are thousands or possibly millions of people affected, no one seems to discuss this issue.
The idea of bladder leakage seems a taboo subject.
I like others have not liked to discuss it, however it happens. It is real, it is an outcome of life, and an outcome of being a mother.
Pregnancy can weaken your pelvic floor muscles. Don’t worry exercise can make it all better.
Incontinence is not all the same, there are different reasons for why it happens.
Below are the main reasons that people would have any form of incontinence.
Stress Incontinence – When you sneeze, cough, jump or laugh and end up having a leak. This is due to having a weakened pelvic floor muscle. Due to the weak pelvic floor muscle the urine cannot be contained and creates a downward pressure. This is mainly an issue for women and the reasons for the weak pelvic floor is pregnancy, childbirth, being overweight could be an issue, if you smoke that could not help and if you have constipation or had issues trying to go to the toilet.
Overflow Incontinence – This is when you have an overwhelming need to urinate and it cannot wait. Sometimes getting the toilet in time is not possible, and must be very upsetting. This could also be a sign of infection and it is best to seek advice from your doctor about this issue. Other causes could be fizzy drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
Overflow Incontinence – Although this can be experienced by anyone it is mainly men that have this issue. Check with your doctor and see if there are any issues with prostrate or maybe a blockage. Once all fixed everything should return to normal.
Functional Incontinence – Physical injury or other health issues might affect a person’s ability to get to the bathroom on time. It might also be neurological, including Alzheimer’s, stroke and head injury, where the messages between brain and bladder aren’t getting through.
Bowel or Faecal Incontinence – Causes of Bowel or faecal incontinence can be a weak pelvic floor due to constipation, poor bowel habits, diarrhoea or maybe bowel surgery. Diseases such as Coeliac and Chrohn’s can impact control over your bowel.
Incontinence is an outcome that I don’t like.
Not only do you carry a baby for nine months or close to it if you have babies early.
Your body changes, you are also dealing with extra weight due to putting it on for the pregnancy and then have limited time to exercise to lose the weight.
Although it is an annoying outcome, it is something that can be fixed or made much better.
Yes you read that right, there are treatments that can help you!
You need to understand what is causing the issue first. Once you know why you are having bladder leakage then you can start to treat the issue.
Pelvic Floor Exercises – This addresses the weakened pelvic floor mostly due to childbirth. One option is to consult a continence physiotherapist who can develop an individually tailored program as well as assist in monitoring progress.
Bladder Retraining– This is done under the supervision of your GP, Gynaecologist, Urologist or Continence Physiotherapist. You retrain your bladder to have longer intervals to the toilet.
Surgery – This is an option if all the other treatments have not worked. Only when your doctor has recommended it is a solution that will correct the issue.
Medication– Before medication is considered doctors try a change to lifestyle, such as reducing coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. A doctor will advise if this is needed and how it can help.
Have you been slack on thekegel exercises? I am, and it is really not hard to fit them in.
TIP to help you exercise
MAKE A TIME EACH DAY WHILE DOING A CHORE: One tip that helps me is to make one time a day or maybe two to do the kegel exercises.
It could be when you are hanging out the clothes, picking kids up from school or driving in the car.
Shhhh….Don’t tell anyone, I like to do them when I am driving back and forth from school. This way they get done in the morning and afternoon.
Having a chore to do with your kegel exercises means that every time you do this chore you will think to do your kegel exercises. A win all round.
Perfecting your kegels
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women – Continence Foundation of Australia
Now armed with some great techniques, my pelvic floor muscles will be like steel.
Yep, not abs of steel, pelvic floor of steel! Maybe this is a bad visual for you my dear readers.
I have been wanting to get toned, fit and drop some weight, maybe soon I will be a woman of steel! It could happen….given enough time? A personal trainer would help….oh how I wish.
It is best to have more water to reduce the concentration of urine, if you don’t have enough water you can irritate your bladder and aggravate urge incontinence.
Making sure that you look after yourself now, is going to pay off when you get older. Strong muscles will mean that when you are older you can control any leaks and not have accidents.
This helps with quality of life and also confidence. If you are not worried about the possibility of incontinence you can do more and be more active.
While you are exercising and working towards stronger pelvic floor muscles it is advisable to wear protection to allow you go confidently go about your everyday tasks without worry.
TENA is offering customers free samplesto help find the right product for their needs. Fill out the form and get some free samples sent to you, all in discreet packaging. (I’ve signed up for my free samples. Have you??)
Get Free TENA Samples to find out what works best for you.
While you are busy getting pelvic muscles of steel make sure to protect yourself with TENA. It will allow you to have confidence to exercise and enjoying life.
Life is short and it is best to get on with it and participate. If bladder leakage or incontinence is holding you back, get it checked at the doctors, do the exercises and be key to improving your quality of life.
MAKE YOU A PRIORITY!
Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with TENA. I was approached to help the awareness of the different causes and treatments for incontinence. It is a fixable issue and one that you should not live with if it is bothering you. Make an appointment with your doctor and get it fixed so that you can start enjoying all the fun things you wish to do again.
I hope this helps you know more about this issue.
Note:I am going to be doing more follow up articles on this issue, so stay tuned.
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Ladies do you find that you come last for everything? I do… and this has to stop. We women need to put our health first!
I like other women find that I look after everyone before I look after myself.
This has not been intentional but due to kids and racing everywhere mummy seems to come last on the list for everything. Sad but true.
The last few months I have felt extremely exhausted. I’ve been so tired that I have fallen asleep in my chair watching a show, fallen asleep with the baby and just felt low.
I thought maybe it was vitamins. Maybe it was exercise or maybe there was something really wrong.
Part of me did think that if I could just have a true break and some good sleep it might all be fine. A break has not happened yet and still waiting on having uninterrupted sleep…. I can only dream about this.
I took myself off to get some sunshine and a walk. I found it so tiring and found it all so hard. Gee I am not that old! I know I might not be that fit but feeling this zapped of energy is not good.
The other day I took myself off to the doctors to get to the bottom of why I am so tired and not feeling good. Blood tests were done and I left with two sore arms as the nurse found it difficult to get a vein… normally this is not an issue. I don’t think I drank much that morning so that might explain the vein issue.
Yesterday the blood had the answers I was after. All good expect a few things. Low on vitamin d mainly and this would explain why I was so tired. I have purchased some vitamin d tablets and will make sure to get more sunshine. Although getting sunshine at the moment is a bit hard due to freezing temperatures and gale force winds, oh and a sick baby does not help.
I can make some changes and get my blood tested in another three months to see how it is all going.
This current issue with my health got me thinking.
As a mum to three young kids and the primary carer I need to look after me. If something happened to me things would be a disaster. I know you cannot future proof everything but you can try and look after your health and be well for you and the family.
Sign Up to Women’s Health Week.
The two barriers that women face are:
Time
Health not being a priority
If you look after you, you can look after the ones you love as well. It all starts with you being well and healthy.
I’ve signed up for Women’s Health Week and I urge you to do so as well.
Get fit in style with this gorgeous slim pink, 22k gold plated smart fitness watch built with revolutionary features including PurePulse® heart rate, connected GPS, on-screen workouts and more.
I’ve signed up to Women’s Health Week. Have you?
So what is Women’s Health Week About?
In 2013 Jean Hailes for Women’s Health ran the first national Women’s Health Week.
Thousands signed up from all over Australia to take part. The event consisted of online activities, resources, information, videos and more.
This event is now in its fifth year and it is “time to put yourself first and get talking about women’s health.”
You can also host an eventfor your friends, workplace or community. If you register before the 31st of July 2017 you get a free elephant stress ball in every gift bag.
NOTE: I was approached by the team at Women’s Health Week to help promote this great initiative for women. As a busy mum I know how easy it is to let things for you slip or get forgotten about altogether. As you know from the first part of this post I am dealing with feeling super tired and was proactive to go to the doctors to get to the bottom of why. I must say I knew that it might be a vitamin d issue before I went but wanted to triple check that there were no underlying issues that I need to be aware of.
Women, and mums out there need to put their health first. Be selfish and care for you so that you can help and care for others as well.
If you take care of your health not only will you feel good you will be more active as well.
You don’t need to just have a family to want to be healthy, feeling well helps you do more and feel better as well.
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I recently attendedThe Bloggers Brunchand had the opportunity to listen to Frank Caruso speak about his journey and how he has built such a successful business.
Frank explained how he had teachers that thought he was not bright and would not amount to much. He had doubters but he never kept on giving things a go. Frank Caruso’s talk was very motivational and made me think about my journey so far.
I had very similar things happen to me as a child. I was told that I was stupid. I would not be able to do this or that and I should just get an office job and forget about it.
Thank goodness, I was stubborn and did not listen to the doubters. I kept on plodding along and worked towards my goals.
Slowly but surely, I managed to get into the university I was drooling over. I managed to get in as a mature aged student. According to the universities mature age is from 20 years and older. I started my undergraduate degree at UTS (University of Technology, Sydney) when I was 23 years of age.
Frank invested in his health journey and was so passionate about it, it became a hugely successful family business.
Learning about Frank Caruso’s tips for success. In grade 3 one of his teachers told him he would never succeed at anything. Don’t let other people’s view of you dictate what you will become! This is one of the key points from Frank’s tips.
Hearing Frank talk at The Bloggers Brunch was inspiring and made me think of things I wish to achieve for my business and my family. Frank is contagious regarding motivating people about their dreams and passions.
It got me thinking about my health and wellness after I got home.
Since having kids, I want to make sure I look after myself. I want to be healthy and active for them, oh and myself as well.
I make sure to have good food, some exercise, rest, relaxation (although sometimes hard with a busy family), and time with the family to just be.
Part of looking after myself means that I make sure to get enough vitamins and minerals that my body will need to lead an active life.
Being a mum is tough job. You cannot afford to get sick (no sick leave, no sick pay, or nanny to come help) so being as healthy as you can is very important.
The kids and I in April 2016.
It is even tougher when kids get sick and you are the one that cares for them, dodging coughs, and snotty noses is next to impossible and therefore mum is the next one on the list to get ill.
Since having my last child, Alexander, I have noticed that my hair has been very dry and brittle. I don’t remember this happening after the twins. Maybe it did and I was so tired I never realised.
I mentioned this to the team at Caruso’s Natural Health and they recommended I try Super Collagen Builderfor Hair, Skin and Nails.
Super Collagen Builder for Hair, Skin and Nails from Caruso’s Natural Health.
I’ve been using the Super Collagen Builder for the last month and it seems to have made a difference to my hair. It appears softer, and not as dry. I will be continuing using this product to see what it does over a longer period.
I do eat quite well but like to ensure I’m getting the right vitamins and minerals with a multivitamin. I’ve been taking Women’s Super Multi. This is a multivitamin tailored for women on the go.
Women’s Super Multi by Caruso’s Natural Health
I take one multivitamin a day. I’m sure this has helped me feel better and allowed me to keep going when the kids have been unwell. This multivitamin helps you for all round health, heart, immune support, bone health, energy, stress and loads more.
Meeting Frank has made me see that I too can achieve what I set out to do. I already knew that health was extremely important and as a mum looking after myself is a top priority.
Not only will being healthy in my older years ensure that I am here for my kids but will allow me to lead a happier, and better life.
The inspirational and charming Frank Caruso from Caruso’s Natural Health. It was such a lovely thing to meet the wonderful man himself.
Have you met someone that has motivated you to be a better you? Frank Caruso is defiantly a person that encourages change in people. Frank is also proof that you should follow your passions and invest in you. The more you do this, the more successful you will be.
How do you make time for good health at your place?
Do you exercise with the kids?
Or maybe eating more vegetables and less refined food?
Let us know.
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She Said inspiration from Home Depot. Picture from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/
I like watching the Lifestyle Channel and seeing all the DIY and Home repair shows. I love seeing what they do with run down houses and how they fix them up. It is great inspiration for our new house and fixing up our current one. The home shows also have another effect, the kids find them boring so they leave me alone to watch them. It ends up being more me time, although sometimes minding the baby at the same time.
One show called, “House Hunters” shows couples in the process of buying a new house. The show gives each couple about four houses to choose from and then they pick the one that is best for them. During the house hunt the man regardless of whether they are old or young or even the husband or the boyfriend really needs and demands a man cave.
Why is a “man cave” so important on the house hunt? I have not heard women ask for their “She-Shed” as well. Yes, it is a thing too! A “She-Shed” can also be called a woman cave.
She-Shed inspiration from Home Depot. Picture from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/
Maybe it should be a requirement for all houses; A man shed and a she-shed must be in all houses. Would council mandate it to ensure this happens? It would be nice wouldn’t it.
Why is it that the man needs a space to get away from everyone? I would like that too? Why can’t the mother or woman in the house have her own cave to do what she wants to do, have things not touched by kids or maybe sip her wine and watch her favourite shows or she could read a book without being interrupted.
With all the shows that I have watched it is rare that the woman in the relationship questions the man cave or demand to have a room for them, and only them. It could be a craft room, office, or if you have the space a basement area.
I just think that it is rather sexist to think that the man is the only one that needs some time out.
The main argument that I have found for why men need and want a “man cave” is that the woman in their life decorates the house. This in turn creates the need for the man to have his own area for his own decorations, furniture and allow him to have some time for him.
Having a space to recharge your batteries would be lovely. I would be able to have quiet time, not be pestered, not hear, “Mummy, mummy, mama!” all the time, do something for me, finally be able to concentrate on something I want to do without be constantly in the middle of five different things. (dinner, craft, reading a book, getting snacks, and more!)
Everyone needs to have their own space, and downtime.
If you are like me you go crazy with the kids all the time and no time for you. Allowing everyone to have some me time is ultra-important for everyone’s happiness.
Women have created “She-Sheds” as their version of the “Man Shed”. Some women have decided to take their sheds to the garden and some are just stunning. The “She-Sheds” can be whatever you wish them to be, reading room, office, craft or maybe a yoga studio. It is up to you, it is your space.
Do you have a cave to retreat to? Do you have one for hubby and you as well? Let us know.
I was invited to an intimate ladies lunch. It sounded nice and lovely. In the city for a lunch all by myself, well with a baby so that was not that bad. However I was at the lunch to talk and to learn about the vagina. Or as some people might refer to as the front bottom, the vajayjay or their bits. I’m sure there is more slang to refer to this amazing body part.
The event was hosted by the charming and delightful Dr Ginni Mansberg and the great team from Vagisil, and also the darling Claire from Birds of Prey in Melbourne. The lunch was to learn about a topic that not many people discuss and to bring real world examples by having a frank discussion with other ladies over brilliantly yummy catered lunch.
I of course thought the lunch sounded fab, but I was rather hesitant in talking about the vagina. Why I thought? I am grown woman. I have now had three kids and of course as anyone can attest that during childbirth everyone seems to want to take a look at your vagina, and it is not something that you wince at like you once did before kids. I still don’t like all the doctors interest but you can understand it as the baby has to get out, and of course it is lovely vagina that gives it a helping hand – See an amazing body part!
My bubbles and lovely flowers at the lunch thanks to Vagisil.
I wondered how intimate this lunch would get? Would there be mirrors passed around so that I and others can look at our own vaginas? Would there be puppets of vaginas so that we can learn about where it all lives and how to care for this brilliant part of the body. I know that sounds very strange but I had no idea what the lunch would be and knew the topic was vaginas so it did get my brain racing.
Look how pretty the table was for our amazing lunch and great company. Thanks to Vagisil for the great event.
As I mentioned I was hesitant to attend, I thought for a long time. Why am I so worried? The vagina is not a bad thing. It is a marvel. Men and boys seem to be super proud of their penis so why shouldn’t girls and women be proud of their vaginas (Maybe there should be a proud vagina movement. If there is one already I had no idea). The more women talk to other women about what is normal and happening to them, the more they will understand it is okay.
In the end the lunch was nice. I met some lovely ladies, had amazing food in a fabulous location (It was at The Grounds in Alexandria, Sydney. If you have never been you will love the place. It was HUGE, a hidden little Mediterranean like farm in the middle of the city. They had farm animals for kids to look at and such an amazing amount of greenery.) All my concern over the topic of the lunch was not to be. It ended up with interesting conversation from Dr Ginni and then others joined in so we all learnt more. Very enjoyable!
Did you know?
“An astonishing 1.8 million Australian women suffer with vaginal dryness. That’s close to 1 in 4 of us.”
Take the quiz to learn more.
I too had to answer these questions while at my lovely lunch. I also learnt that I knew more about the vagina than I thought. Amaze yourself and see how much you already know.
How well do you know the vagina?
Take this quick quiz to learn more about the vagina. Questions are the same ones that I had on my ladies lunch with the lovely Dr Ginni Mansberg and the fabulous team from Vagisil.
The vagina should be acidic?
Yes
No
It’s normal to have a discharge from the vagina?
Yes
No
A smelly vaginal discharge means a STI
Yes
No
Nasty bugs thrive in a moist vagina
Yes
No
Douching is the best way to combat a stinky vagina
Yes
No
The best treatment for a dry vagina is washing with soap
Yes
No
You shouldn’t use hand or body lotion to moisturise the vagina
True
False
Only older women suffer with vaginal dryness
Yes
No
Vaginal dryness can be caused by performance anxiety, stress, menopause, hormonal imbalances, exercise, using perfumed soaps and body wash, wearing certain underwear can cause vaginal dryness.
Yes
No
Have you ever had a dry vagina?
Yes or No – This is a personal question that depends on you.
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For those who said yes, what do you think was the cause? (performance anxiety, stress, menopause, hormonal imbalances including breastfeeding, exercise, using perfumed soaps and body wash, wearing certain underwear)
It could be anyone one or a combination of all of the above.
undefined
Have you ever had bad vaginal discharge?
Yes or No – This is your own personal answer again.
undefined
Australians are having as much sex as they would like.
Yes
No
Half of vaginal dryness sufferers don’t use any products to relieve their dryness
True
False
“A study found that of the 1.8 million women who suffer from dryness…
31% experience it more than once a week
17% experience it every 2 or 3 weeks
51% don’t use any product to treat it”
If you are one of these women that do get vaginal dryness then Vagisil has a solution for you. They have created a new product called Vagisil ProHydrate Plus Internal Hydrating Gel, this new product mimics a woman’s natural moisture and offers relief for up to three days. As you will see from the quiz, vaginal dryness does not have anything to do with age. It affects all ages. It could be as simple as stress, medicines that you are taking that throw off your internal pH levels, soaps, body washes, tight clothing, hormonal imbalances and menopause.
Vagisil have created some fabulous health videos which is a brilliant free resource. They feature Dr Adelaide Nardone who answers your questions about why pH matters, causes and also gives you helpful remedies.
This lunch really made me realise that I too was afraid of talking about the vagina. How do girls and women learn what is supposed to be normal if we never discuss it with our daughters, mums and friends. You can see from the statistics that there is a lot of women out there that are not talking about this issue.
A close up of the pretty flowers at the lunch.
Dr Ginni Mansberg, Kimba from Kimba Likes and of course me at the lunch.
Be kind to you.
Make sure you talk to your friends, your doctor about any changes that you notice.
Don’t suffer in silence.
Don’t be in pain.
Live life well and if you need help get it.
Shelly Horton and Dr Ginni talk about all the things you are worried about.
“Additionally, research shows that vaginal dryness is most likely to affect women during sexual activity. Among the women studied …
76% experienced dryness during sexual activity
69% found dryness most bothersome during intimacy”
The yummy desserts at the lunch. I had to have all 3…. Yes naughty I know.
Do you discuss things with mates? Or family? If not are you more comfortable talking with your local doctor?
Have you noticed that there is a generational change with this topic? Maybe your older relatives will avoid any topic that has vagina in it and the younger ones are not bothered?
Let us know what has happened to you.
Thanks so much to Claire and Vagisil for the invite to this great event. I had a great time and learnt a lot. I hope you have as well.
The other week we celebrated International Women’s Day. Lately, there have been many articles about women and girls; the topics range from equal pay, pocket money, women not being in leadership roles, how women manage money, and more!
Inequality is still a major issue and I’m sure I am not the only one that finds this appalling. Yes, it is 2016 and we are still not treating women and girls as equals. Why is being female such a negative thing? We are strong, we have children, we solider on just like men do, and we manage the household, we manage kids and work and also have a career to boot. Plus some of us, myself included taking time out to do unpaid work of looking after kids and family. This unpaid work is not easy as there are no holidays, sick days, or thanks for the majority of the job. However, if you don’t do something it gets noticed instantly. Have two kids sick and you are ill and struggling, you are on your own. You cannot call in and tell the boss you cannot come in that day. Oh, how I wish this was the case!
Girls and women are more highly educated than ever before and it is reflected in the workforce. More and more women are striving for the top jobs and also entering into industries that were seen once as male-only domains, such as engineering, IT and much more. I for one believe and so does hubby, that jobs should be matched on a skill basis. If you fulfil the skill and job requirements you should be seriously looked at for the role, and your gender should not be a factor to determine if you get a job, or if you get a promotion or if you get a pay rise or paid the right amount of money.
Here is my rant about the inequality that women deal with. Yes, I have my cranky pants on and I’m not apologizing for being angry. Everyone should see this as unforgivable. If you have daughters would you want or accept that they will always be underpaid and undervalued? I would hope not!
Gender Pay Gap Stats. Image from https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/Gender_Pay_Gap_Factsheet.pdf
Why are top female sports professionals so underpaid?
The Matildas are Australia’s national soccer team. The team have been very successful in the FIFA World Cup and in the lead up to the Olympics. There has been a pay dispute with FFA (Football Federation of Australia), the team wish to have equal pay like the male soccer players.
For example, Each Matilda player got $500 in match fees for the knockout game with Brazil. However male players receive $7,500 for the same thing. (Convery, Stephanie: September 11, 2015, “The Matildas’ pay dispute could spark real change”, abc.net.au)
— $500 per group-stage tournament game, $600 per round of 16-tournament game, $750 per tournament quarter-final, $1250 per tournament semi-final or third or fourth-place playoff and$1500 per tournament final
— Plus an equal share in 30 per cent of all prize money
SOCCEROOS
— A share in commercial profits from matches played and sponsor bonuses
— $6500 per standard international game
— $7500 per group-stage tournament game. $8500 per quarter-final tournament game, $9500 per tournament semi-final or third or fourth-place playoff and $11,500 per tournament final
— Plus an equal share in 30 per cent of all prize money
— Or, $240 daily wage
As you can see a match fee for men that is $7,500 to the women’s pay of $500 is a massive difference. A difference of $7,000 is just not on at all! Not fair if you ask me. Very rude to The Matildas to not value their skill and success and not pay the same as the men are getting.
“”In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of the men,” Moore said. “They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport. They really have.” (Rothenberg, Ben: 2016, March 21, “Indian Wells boss Raymond Moore says women tennis players should be thanking men”, The Sydney Morning Herald.)
Serena Williams “rejected the notion that Moore’s comments could have been misconstrued.
“There’s only one way to interpret that,” she said. “‘Get on your knees,’ which is offensive enough, and ‘Thank a man’? We, as women, have come a long way. We shouldn’t have to drop to our knees at any point.”
“Williams expressed particular shock that Moore would make such comments after last year’s US Open when excitement over her Grand Slam bid caused tickets to the women’s final to sell out before the men’s final for the first time in tournament history.” (Rothenberg, Ben: 2016, March 21, “Indian Wells boss Raymond Moore says women tennis players should be thanking men”, The Sydney Morning Herald.)
Graph looking at data for full-time wages and the gender pay gap. Image from https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/Gender_Pay_Gap_Factsheet.pdf
Why is it when there is media coverage regarding Hilary Clinton’s race for the white house, the question is, “How do you feel about a woman president?”
Why is being a woman a major issue?
I understand that America has not had a female president but you don’t hear the same questioning for a male wanting to be president. I would think that they would find this line of questioning rude and not seeing their credentials for the job rather than focus on gender.
If a woman is successful in her career and life, why is it that she is singled out due to her sex? We can see instantly that she is female and that is not a major thing to notice. Who cares!!!
The only thing that should be looked at and worried about is, can she do the job? A woman needs to be noticed for her skills and achievements not just due to gender.
You never hear in the press, that we have a man in this job and it is a first. I wonder how he will do? Why are men not put through the scrutiny women are? Why are men getting more money for the same jobs?
Why is it when men don’t hit their objectives/KPI’s in their job that they still get higher bonuses than women?
Ridiculous if you ask me. Isn’t the whole idea of the reward system to reward the workers that hit the objectives and performance indicators? Not the person that does not achieve?
This could be a woman or a man, the employee just has to hit their targets to be in the running for a bonus not get one without doing so.
“Despite getting the same performance ratings as their male colleagues, women get smaller bonuses on average, according to a report from human resources consultants Mercer.
Even men who only partially met their performance objectives got bonuses that were 35 per cent larger than their female counterparts.” (Perkins, Miki: 2015, November 4, “Gender pay gap higher in bonuses, report finds”
Looking at the gender pay gap from 1995 to 2015. Image from https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/Gender_Pay_Gap_Factsheet.pdf
“Boys earn $13 a week in pocket money on average, while girls get $9.60, according to a survey done for the Heritage Bank and released in time for International Women’s Day this week. The bank made similar findings in 2014. (Fitzsimmons, Caitlin: March 8, 2016, “Girls get less pocket money”, The Sydney Morning Herald)
How atrocious that boys even when little still get paid more! I wonder how this works?
Why would parents pay girls less than their boys? I know I wouldn’t.
According to the article from the Herald, it says it could be down the types of jobs done by boys/girls or how the child negotiates. Or maybe the fact that girls are expected to just do housework or jobs around the house for no pay… If this is the case that is just horrible! Living in 2016 and just due to your gender you are expected to do things for no pay. Wrong I tell you! Also if this is so and the reason, showing boys that housework or other chores around the house are not to be valued and not paid is not right at all.
I don’t understand why having a penis makes you earn more over a lifetime. Maybe I need to get a fake one to improve my chances?????
Why is this discrepancy occurring? As an employer, what makes you underpay women?
Why is it okay to pay female employees less?
Women are equally deserving as men, women have the same education and skill base, women are focused and high achieving, and would like to be promoted and go places just like men. This is not something different.
Just because we are female does not make our wants and desires any different to a man. We are just working harder and for less money!
When I was working in the corporate world, I was keen to be promoted and to progress in my career. I saw the men get promoted but when I put my hand up and showed interest I always got told not now, you don’t have the skills yet (although I was already doing the job but did not have the new title and new pay to accompany it) and much more. During my time at many companies, management changed and this meant it was mostly men that took up positions of power, and therefore brought along their mates, who were of course male. I must say that there were a few powerful and lovely women who did a great job and I greatly admired them.
Why is ambition from a woman seen as a terrible trait to have? If I was a man I’m sure the outcome would have been completely different.
Ambition is a great attribute and I should be rewarded. I wish I would know what it would have been like if I was a man, would my life and career have looked different? Would I have been the CEO of a company by now? Maybe it is best not to know, if I knew how it could have been, I think it would make me even angrier.
I was always taught, that you study hard, work hard and do well, good pay will follow. Gender did not come into it. I really don’t see how your sex should determine pay.
Women live longer than men and therefore need more savings to live. Being short-changed in the earnings department means that women’s superannuation is much less than a man’s and even lower if they have had a career break to look after children or other family members.
“The gender pay gap is worst where pay is kept secret and women often find out they are being paid less than their male colleagues after years on the job,” she said.
The gender pay gap is currently at a 20-year high of 18.8 per cent, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. It means that, on average, women earn $298.10 a week less than men. Put another way, they have to work an extra 66 days a year to take home the same amount as a man. (Gartrell, Adam: 2015, August 2, “Greens call for an end to ‘salary secrecy’ to help bridge gender pay gap”, They Sydney Morning Herald)
Pay gaps are broken down by state. Image from https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/Gender_Pay_Gap_Factsheet.pdf
Wow! Women earn $298.10 less each week compared to men! That is a lot to not be earning.
That is a loss of $15,501.20 per year in earnings.
Fancy missing out on 15K per year. That is a HUGE gap! I am not sure what industry that these figures were taken from or if this is just an average of many women interviewed and data collected from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
If businesses did not keep pay secret then women would know what men and women in similar roles were being paid.
This would help negotiation for salary and make sure that women are not being underpaid. Making pay transparent would also help everyone, not just women. Not knowing what certain roles are being paid and what you can ask for is definitely hard.
If you know what the value of roles are, you are so much more informed, plus employers will, of course, get highly trained individuals that will work hard and wish to grow with the organisation.
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has been focusing on innovation and technology. My girls are very interested in the STEM subjects, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Hubby and I have encouraged this as we believe that the jobs of the future will have some or all of these skills. Also if the twins focus on these subjects and are good at them, they can get a job that pays well in the future. Why are girls not participating in these areas as much as boys? Why are we not encouraging girls to give it a go?
“A recent OECD report found less than one in 20 girls from OECD countries considered careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. In 2013 in New South Wales a tiny 1.5 per cent of girls took the trio of advanced maths, physics and chemistry. Yet a recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that in the future 75 per cent of the fast-growing occupations will require STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. We are locking ourselves out of the workforce. If we are going to earn the same as our pipsqueak brothers, we will have to think hard about the choices we make.” (Clarke, Ruby, 2015: June 28, “Teenage girls need to change themselves to affect the gender pay gap”, The Sydney Morning Herald)
How low is 1.5% of girls participating in STEM subjects in New South Wales! We need higher numbers. What do you think?
There is also the argument that women work in part-time roles or choose not to work due to kids and other commitments. That might be true.
However, for the women that wish to work, it is rather difficult if you do have kids as well. Juggling motherhood, career and life is tough. Not horrible but just more things to organise and get lined up to make sure everything happens.
I for one would love to work part-time or say full time. A couple of days in the office and the rest from home. My jobs have all been online and therefore can transition to work from home roles. I can put kids in care for the days that I’m at the office but don’t want to have kids in full-time care. Firstly it is too expensive and, secondly, I will never see them.
I don’t have the luxury of living near relatives and therefore I am the one that does all kid-related activities. School run, and after school activities is all down to me. Being the only one doing all this is limiting and therefore I have created my own opportunities with my blog. My own online presence, to hopefully build my empire! (You can only put it out there. You never know right?)
“Sure, if women are simply choosing to work shorter hours in lower-status jobs in lower-paid industries – perhaps because they choose to take on the bulk of the task of looking after children and the home – then there is no problem here.
But – and here’s the rub – perhaps these are not choices freely made.
Perhaps women don’t want to retire with no superannuation or other savings after all. Perhaps they would like to earn a pay-packet the equivalent of a man’s, but they’re too busy looking after those male’s kids for free.” (Irvine, Jessica, 2015: July 31, “Apples and oranges: Gender pay gap is worse than you think”, The Sydney Morning Herald)
Many women would love to get the job after kids to fit into their new lifestyle, however, many companies are still stuck with the mindset that you have to physically turn up to a job in an office.
How about job share? Part-time in the office for 2 days and work at home for 3 days. Work some hours in the day and some in the night and weekend? Flexible hours as long as the work gets done.
Understand if you need to be online or on the phone for meetings or in the office. You can always have a catch-up meeting every fortnight or month?
Depends on the business and workload.
With technology, I don’t why more places embrace telecommuting. It would save the company money and also allow them to get quality employees that will stick with the company due to allowing them to be flexible and work from home.
Think about all the women with fabulous skills that are itching to get the job that businesses are overlooking!
“Clearly society has to change in order for women to rise, but we, the teenagers of Australia, also have to change our attitudes and perceptions. Major corporations must set targets to increase women’s participation in managerial positions.
Men additionally need to take more responsibility for child care and share the load. Unionised workforces also tend to be higher paid workforces so if women join unions, their rates of pay should increase.
But. It’s also down to you and me, ladies. We need to change, too. We need to think about what kinds of lives we want. What kinds of jobs will get us more money? Are we going to be in charge of our own futures or are we going to rely on men to pay for them? If you want to work with children, how are you going to pay for a house in Sydney now the average price has hit almost a million dollars?” (Clarke, Ruby, 2015: June 28, “Teenage girls need to change themselves to affect the gender pay gap”, The Sydney Morning Herald)
When I see a role that is just perfect for me and of course will pay a full wage. Why is the money for child care seen to only be taken from my wage?
Why is child care seen as something that the woman needs to sort out in order to work?
Isn’t child care an issue for both parents?
Having an extra wage would help out the whole family and therefore it is an issue that the family need to address not just one person.
I agree that men need to take more responsibility for child care and help with this more. Some men do this and there is no issue here. However the more equal it is, the more easily women can re-enter the workforce and contribute to the family, society and build for their future as well as their families.
It is 2016 and sex is still seen as an issue regarding pay. I would have thought that this would not be the case.
I hope for my girls that this is not the case when they are older but I would have thought that it would have been already resolved by now. So I’m not holding my breath, however, I can live in hope.
As I have said before, gender is not an issue for pay. The only important issue is, can you do the job, and do you have the skills?
Pay for the role not because someone has a different anatomy than another.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks for reading my HUGE post about this issue!
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Alexander is now eleven weeks old. Yes soon to be three months old, Oh how that has flown by already.
As anyone with a newborn knows you get up multiple times at night and feed, settle, cuddle, and of course change nappies. I also wash up bottles so that we have more for the next feeds. Lately the baby has taken to waking up at 2.30 or say 2am to want more food. I change his nappy and get him the milk and then feed him. He then falls asleep and then I put him to bed after some lovely morning cuddles.
Having snuggles with my boy.
Alexander then wakes again at 4am. He is screaming the place down so I do all the normal things, change his nappy and get more milk ready for the next feed. However it is this time that he decides that he is not hungry and just wants cuddles with mummy. I was snug and asleep in my bed before he screeched to what I thought was a hungry cry, but turned out that he just wanted cuddles. This is lovely but to wake up to give someone cuddles seems a bit annoying. I love the cuddles but I do LOVE my sleep and to wake up to then have to fall asleep again in the living room is a bit annoying to say the least.
I do try again to feed him but he pushes the bottle away and is content to just be cuddled. I fall asleep on the lounge as well as the baby. Hours pass and I finally wake to realise that I have been sleeping with my neck and body in an odd position. No wonder my body is out of sorts and everything hurts.
I sit in the living room looking around at all the things yet to be done and think about all the other things around the house that have to be done or have not been done or even thought of or even started. Gosh I’m exhausted just thinking about it all!
Why can’t I just sit and cuddle the baby?
Why do I have to get up and get stuff for people?
It is annoying that I have to leave the house but I do. Dropping kids at school and picking them up and of course all the after school activities that the girls go to. All I wanted to do was to stay in the house with my PJ’s on and just cuddle and be with Alexander.
During these early morning moments I have thought why can’t I be more in the moment? I love the cuddles, giggles and raspberries that Alex is doing but I still find myself drawn to all the other things that need my attention. Maybe this is due to having kids already? When I had the twins I had no pressure to be anywhere, I did not have kids before the twins so I could have the cuddles and just stay at home if I wished to. Now with older children it is hard to impossible to stay at home.
In the early weeks mums at the kids school commented on how it was great that I was getting out and about. It was nice to hear and I of course would have rather have stayed at home, but with kids at school I had to venture out. I suppose it was good that the kids made me go out with the baby but that quiet time just snuggling with your new baby is so nice and a pity that I have to get up to do the more boring things, like cleaning, shopping, clothes washing and more.
Also with older kids the house is much noisier than before. When the twins were babies I tried to have things super quiet when they were sleeping. I would even put notes on the front door in case of deliveries. Yes I was trying to make sure that who ever knocked on the door knew to be quiet or less noisy than they would be normally. I of course have not done the note on the front door this time, not due to not thinking about it but just due to never getting around to do it, and thinking about sleep rather than writing notes.
Did you find that due to other kids and commitments that you are not enjoying the lovely moments of the new baby as much as you would like? Let us know.
I need to just learn to switch off and to let go. I know it is hard but I need to. I think from the state of my house you would think that I have done just that, but I have been trying to tidying and sort things but it is always hard with a new baby. I get some things sorted and then have to leave it to be with the baby, then off course I don’t get back to the pile of clothes to fold and put away. Then I have to pick kids up from school, take them to after school activities and then when home do homework, dinners and more! Yes…. I think that is about it.
Letting go about now sounds good after reading all that I need to do!
Do you have some tips to just try and let go of all the things that need to be done? If you do have some great ways to let go of things that would be great to be shared also.
I have now reached the half way mark of my third pregnancy. I am amazed at how quick this has gone. Maybe it might have something to do with the fact we did not tell people until I was 12 weeks to start with. Or it could have something to do with being super busy looking after two very active little girls now, so time seems to fly.
18 week scan. Profile of baby number 3. We don’t know if it is a boy or a girl. We are going to have a surprise.
All looked good at the 18 week scan. All bits and pieces were where they should be and the baby looked well. So that was great news. I had the scan done just before I went to Problogger so that made me not stress about things.
I have noticed some differences with having just one baby.
I don’t think I am that big at 20 weeks as I was with the twins.
When pregnant with the twins I had a lot of fluid that made me lose the strength in my hands. Yes I got carpel tunnel when pregnant. I could not do anything and it was very upsetting. This time being pregnant with a singleton I have had no such thing. Could be due to having less fluid as there is only one baby. Maybe this complication might visit me later in pregnancy (I hope not). I was lucky it went away after I had the girls.
Yesterday I got a lot of re-flux that did not start until the last month or so of the twin pregnancy. It could be that I ate too much and needed to have smaller meals, but I just loved my fruit and muesli that I could not help myself. Today I will try and have smaller servings throughout the day to see if this symptom goes away.
I have felt movement very early on but that could just be due to it being my second pregnancy.
I am still feeling nauseous and very tired but have not thrown up. With the twin pregnancy I threw up a lot and felt ill all the time. I still feel ill but maybe that is just the way I cope with the pregnancy symptoms.
Today (20th of August 2015) I’m 20 weeks with baby number 3. I’m at the half way mark if I go to term. If you had premmie twins before and then had a singleton, did you go full term? #pregnant #pregnancy #twins #singleton #20weekstoday #parenting
If you had twins before and then had a singleton, did the the singleton come early, was it on time, or late? Let me know!
After I came back from Problogger I fell in a heap. I thought I was tired due to being pregnant and of course information overload. However it was not, I went to the doctor and found out I have a chest infection. Brilliant I thought, sick and pregnant is not the best combination. I’m on antibiotics and trying to get more sleep.
I have my midwife appointment next week so if I need anything like the flu shot or the whooping cough vaccine I hope that can be done, or I get better before now and next week. Not sure when these things are given, but will ask next week. I’m sure it will all work out.
The article puts all the emphasis onto women. It does take two to make a baby and men are part of this issue as well. Why are men not being mentioned or told to consider having kids earlier as well? They have issues with age as well and both men and women can have fertility issues when older. It is not just down to the woman to organise all this on her own.
I must say that men before 30 generally are not thinking of babies and the same for women. Some do and that is great, but others are out building a career, studying and the big thing that no one has mentioned is that the women that are being told to race off and have babies probably has not met the right partner to do this with yet. What do you do if you have not met the one yet?
I met my husband in my early twenties but we did not have kids till I was in my mid 30’s. We had a good life, I studied, worked at great jobs and was building my career. We did not want to have babies without firstly being married, having a house and enough money to allow one person to be out of work while looking after kids.
I find it rather interesting that the whole focus is on the woman and not looking at men as well. I did float the idea of having kids earlier but due to hubby wanting to make sure we were married first it got delayed. We waited a while to get married. I think we liked the idea of a long engagement and making sure it all went well.
Girls and women have so many more choices now than to instantly get married and be a mother. You can be a career woman and then a mother, and also both at the same time. I know that doctors are making sure that we are aware that our window of fertility will not last forever and of course if you wish to have children it is a good idea to think about when that might happen. However if you have not met your mate yet, how are you to get busy making the next generation?
Boys need to be taught that they need to look at this issue seriously as well. Women don’t need to take the whole responsibility for fertility for a couple, kids and family. It is something that a couple should do together, not a woman on her own.
When is there going to be high profile articles about men talking about not to delay fatherhood?
I do think that it is easy to think you have plenty of time and I thought that too. As said I was telling hubby that I wanted to have kids and that I did not want to wait. I even suggested having a kid before marriage! Yes this was terrible to mention to him. Oh well… we were lucky that we got married, and the kids did come.
One thing I did make sure to do with hubby when he was still the boyfriend: I made sure he wanted to have kids eventually. I did not want to be with someone that did not want children. It was important to me and if he did not agree then I told him that I could not date him. It sounds terrible to say, but you don’t want to be in a long term relationship and think that they share your views and thoughts, but only to wake up one day and realise that they never wanted children, But you do!
It is tough to figure out how you fit it all in. Kids, life, work and so on. It just works out whatever age you have children. Things just work out. You cope, you make do and you manage. I do think it wise not to leave it too late to have kids but the tough part was the timing with the partner and making sure they were on board with the next steps. If it was all down to women and we could have kids by ourselves then we can fixate on just them.
However I feel that part of the issue is that men are not on the same page as their partners or as said before you have not met the person who will father your children yet, and who knows when that will be.
What do you think? Do you think that men need to be part of this issue?
Do you think that it needs to be part of boys/girls education to understand about fertility and not leaving it too late if you wish to have kids? I do!
Women should not be the only sex that deals with this issue.
Did you know that many cancers and disease can be prevented. Keeping yourself healthy, well and in a good weight range can help minimise your chance of some types of cancers. Yes wouldn’t this be wonderful.
Pink Hope is a charity that is urging you to Make Your Own Pinky Promise with your BFF (Best Friend Forever or just good mate) to help improve your health and your mates health as well.
What is Pink Hope about?
Pink Hope is about taking control of your health and empowering you to learn about the facts, and the myths of prevention and detection of cancer. Explore the Pink Hope website and read about the myths. It is an interesting read. I learnt that Ovarian Cancer does give you symptoms and it is not silent as first thought. Many believed it was a silent killer and only presented at the late stage of the disease.
Did you know?
“Doing at least 1.25 hours of exercise per week has a benefit; every little bit counts. The more you exercise the more benefit you get.”
What do you do to keep yourself healthy and well?
I am including more movement into my day. Most days I do close to 10,000 steps or way over.
I make sure that I add a lot of bright coloured vegetables to meals. I have heard it is good to eat a rainbow so we do in this house, well I do try!
I have cut back on alcohol. I have limited wine to weekends and have a glass with dinner.
I make sure to have a yearly check up at the doctors to make sure that all is well with me. I get bloods done, breasts checked, skin looked and of course a pap smear. I try and do it around my birthday so that I remember. So I am due one now as my birthday was yesterday.
Bright coloured vegetables in our pasta sauce
What would your Pinky Promise be?
You have the chance to win a trip to New York City for 2. Yep that is right. You can take your bestie with you. Now that would be a fab way to relax and recharge. I would say that this is a good way to be happy and healthy!
This is what you can win!
Return flights for 2 to New York City
5 nights and a fine dining experience at the luxurious Soho Grand hotel
$5,000 shopping spree at the new Emma & Roe by Michael Hill NYC store!
Don’t fret if you are not the grand prize winner. There are 5 runner up prizes to be won. These are prize packs from KoraOrganics by Miranda Kerr worth $500 each!
So the action plan now is!
Find your bestie and make a Pinky Promise Now. Not only will you be healthier for doing so, you could also win a trip to New York City.
I have made a Pinky Promise and will maintain my healthy eating and making sure I do more exercise. I’m now accountable to my bestie for my promise. My bestie is my hubby. So hope that inspires him as well as it does me.
#BFFPINKPINKYPROMISE
Pink Hope would like more than 10,000 people to register their pledge before the end of May. I hope that we can help to get them to that number.
Disclaimer: I was approached to post about this campaign. I believe in being healthy for you and the family. I have young children and my main aim is to be around a long time so that I can be with them and see them grow up. I love anything that helps others and therefore have shared this wonderful campaign. I hope it inspires you and of course there is a chance to win a fab trip overseas as well.
Branson went on to say that unless you have a job that requires you to fly a plane or the like, you probably can do your job remotely. He even went on to say, “Companies that forbid the practice, such as Yahoo, put pressure on families and limit opportunities for women, according to the Virgin Group founder.”
Brilliant. Yes you have hit the nail on the head! Many women myself included are highly skilled and educated. They wish to give back but due to family commitments it makes things difficult. Working from home is ideal. You don’t have travel. You can focus on the tasks at hand and of course get more done. There are so much on offer now to make telecommuting easy for all. There is Skype, Google Docs, Dropbox and more. Why not hang onto your best assets and knowledgeable employees that want to work and will go above and beyond.
Happy that she has a work from home job.
If you find that one or a few staff members are not pulling their weight. Well you give warnings and then you make the decision to either let them go or forfeit the telecommute option.
I for one would give 120% to be able to work remotely in a good job with great pay. (I have noted that lately some work from home roles are underpaying for what they expect you to do. One full time role was a management role and expected 40+ hours a week, conference calls overseas via Skype and to manage maybe 100+ websites. This they were paying at least 60K less than the going rate for this position. Not sure if it was the company or the fact that since you are working from home they have undervalued everything. The work is still the same, the job is still the same so therefore the pay should be the same as well. What do you think? I do accept that you don’t need to travel anywhere for your role and that is a bonus but why should you get short changed?)
Employers are doing themselves a disservice. Brain drain is a big issue. It does not have to be simply mothers or fathers wishing for a more flexible family friendly lifestyle. If you don’t treat people well, they walk. Loosing staff that know all your processes is tough. It takes a long while before you can train new staff to know what the former staff knew inside and out. This is a cost to the business in knowledge and also to money. You need to retrain and rehire.
Many employers offer you the world and then don’t deliver. They promise flexible work and telecommuting options, however whenever you seek to use this option there are myriad of excuses for why it cannot be applied to you and your role. You have not been here long enough was what I always got told, and another amazing one, we need you here to manage things.
One place I worked for I was there five years and I lived the furthest away. A day here or there would have been amazing, but no it was not to be. The girl who lived less than 30 mins away was always working from home. You would have thought three years somewhere and putting in extra hours and working on projects that were successful would have qualified. No it did not.
I wonder what the magical number is that qualifies you to work from home from a corporate or organisations point of view. Is it what value you can give them? Or more like is it seen as a perk and not a value to the business?
In February 2013, Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s Chief Executive put a stop to employees working from home. She believes that working side by side is better and more helpful for business and staff members. I do understand that interaction is nice and having catch ups is always something to look forward to. This can still happen if you have a fortnightly or monthly catch-up with say a team that is working from home and see how everyone is going. Maybe on these times you get everyone to come into the office to touch base and have a day in the office, although the rest of the work is from home. Now there’s an idea. What do you think?
Marissa Mayer is not the only one that has adopted this notion of side by side working. In the Sydney Morning Herald article it also mentioned that Patrick Pichette who used to work at Google as the Chief Financial Officer has also the belief that working side by side is more productive. How did Pichette work somewhere where they encouraged working remotely with “Google Apps” to allow employees to work from home to now saying that working side by side is more productive? In the article Pichette says the following:
“”The surprising question we get is: ‘How many people telecommute at Google?’ ” Mr Pichette said at a talk in Sydney on Monday. “And our answer is: ‘As few as possible’.
“It’s somewhat counterintuitive. People think, ‘Well, because you’re at Google you can work from anywhere.’ Yes, you can work from anywhere, but many just commute to offices . . . Working from the office is really important.”
Coffee and tools to work from home. Off to get a lot done!
I do understand that brainstorming and bouncing ideas off people does help a great deal, however quiet time to reflect and think is needed also. Maybe it could be a bit of both, some days in the office and some days working from home?
It is 2015 and more kids are tech savvy and will be wanting flexibility when they enter the workforce. I want it now and I’m not considered a kid. Why are we still that rigid when it comes to having staff work from home? As long as the job is getting done that is the main thing.
From the businesses point of view it is a cost saving if staff don’t have come to the office and have a permanent desk, phone and computer. They don’t need to provide this if you have a remote role (I know some places might give you a phone or laptop but that is rare). All they need to do is to maybe have a hot desk when you come in for team meetings and catch ups with your manager or team. Easy really. I just don’t see why it is so hard, especially in this age of technology and options.
I believe companies that don’t offer work from home and flexible options will not attract the right people in the future. We are moving to a work environment where you don’t have to be in an office. You could be on a beach or in your house with your pj’s on. As long as you are hitting your KPI’s the rest does not matter. For major corporates to not look beyond an office job is silly in my book, there are a lot of people with excellent skills that can do a great job from a home office, they just need a chance to show you they can.
What are your thoughts? Have you tried to work from home? Were you successful? Do you have a job that is a telecommute role? If so please share how it works for you.
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