by Maria C Collins

Created on: January 21, 2010   Last Updated: September 14, 2010

As a trade unionist, in a very large workplace, people came to me with their work related problems. I realized very quickly that , for the most part, women’s problems were much the same as men’s work problems . Women, like men, want to do a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay and they want managers who treat them fairly and do not flout health and safety laws.

However, women have particular issues in the workplace. Despite The Equal Pay Acts1963 and 1970, as amended in 1983 to include equal pay for work of equal value, British women are still not receiving equal pay. On average British women still only earn 70% of average male earnings. The Glass ceiling still exists in Britain. The vast majority of women are concentrated on the lower rungs of the employment ladder. Most British women work at part time low paid jobs. In one large workplace employing 4,000 staff on several sites, where on all sites women employees formed 75% of the workforce, 85% of senior managers and 90% of the Board of Directors were male.

Women want employers and managers, who observe the law relating to motherhood and pregnancy within the workplace, some employers still seem to think that they can flout the law with impunity. Women really appreciate employers, who are accommodating when it comes to ante-natal appointments and the need to take time off with sick children, or for family reasons. When an employer, or manager is accommodating over such matters, s/he will find that female staff will be accommodating when the boss needs their help with extra staff for a rush job or to cover the odd shift.

Employers who suddenly decide they want women to work late, without notice, are not popular Many women have to get home to children, or, where they are someone’s carer, to their family.

 Whilst the next two issues affect both men and women, women are far more likely to suffer from them.

Women hate bosses who think that because they pay you they have the right to treat you exactly as they please. There are some bosses and managers who believe strongly in the term “wage slave”. They are Neanderthal bullies, sadly, they are not always men. They need to be swept from workplaces. They often get away with their behaviour because the law and the workplace policies on bullying make it very difficult, but not impossible, to prove. Managers tend to close ranks.

If you are union member go to your union representative. In your union

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>