Whoever I talk to in the working world, the subjects of overload, exhaustion and burnout are a primary topic of conversation.
But here's the major issue; it's not a level playing field and women are bearing the brunt on many levels. As I write today, on November 6th, we are now in the section of the year when women have entered the 'zero pay zone' compared to their male counterparts. Yes, that's right. Pay for a like for like job is still higher for a large number of men than women & from this point in the year onwards, many women are effectively working for free. Feeling great, ladies?!
Especially when the demands on working women are often far more onerous than for men. Remember those great facts from Washington Post reporter Brigid Schulte's book; 'Overwhelmed: Work, Love & Play When No One Has Time?' http://amzn.to/1onM6Hl
1. On average, women still do twice the housework and twice as much child care as men http://usat.ly/1opcLBQ
2. The higher their education, the more time women spend on mothering, and working mothers spend more time with their children than stay-at-home mothers did in the 1960s http://1.usa.gov/1toOtZA
3. Women are two and a half times more likely than men to interrupt their sleep to care for others, and they stay awake longer when they do http://wapo.st/13MkZN1
4. Women still spend considerably more time taking care of others than men do, and not surprisingly, it takes a toll. Adult women, for example, are the fastest growing group being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but a growing number of researchers believe it isn't really the neurological disorder, but rather that they're so overloaded http://wapo.st/1wkb0ZI
Not enough companies are recognizing the cost to their business or their valuable female employees from this overload. Women need and thrive with enhanced flexibility, facts substantiated by a large number of management studies concluding that women are better at collaborating, taking the initiative, self-development, driving for results, solving problems, developing others and building relationships. To put it bluntly, women in the workplace are often more wholly human than their male counterparts. Strong leaders despite greater demands in their lives.
MyShowcase recognizes the phenomenal skills that our female Stylists have and their ability to create thriving and sustainable businesses with our support. We are on a mission to enable tens of thousands of talented women all over the world to launch flexible and rewarding businesses, selling 30+ outstanding independent beauty brands and fully enabled by the best technology. We're passionate about creating an environment where women can do business and juggle all of the demands of their lives. For just £199 it's possible to start your http://www.myshowcase.com business and set off on a career path that will satisfy financial, developmental and work-life balance goals. And forget about working for free from now to the end of the year or requiring any VC funding for your venture! Our Stylists are fully in control of when & where they work and are compensated year round in line with their efforts. No glass ceilings. No inequality in pay or fundraising!