The debate continues and will carry on for some time why women stumble in the race to the top of organisations. Having caring responsibilities and finding it difficult to manage work-life balance are often cited as causes. To counter this, according to Sunday Times article, many top companies are promoting flexible working, coaching to support women returning to work and part-time working. For example, Deloitte are promoting a women-in-leadership programme while Citigroup have the initiative, Maternity Matters that aims to retain female employees embarking on motherhood.
In another article, also in Sunday Times, it is pointed out that the problem is not a simple one of providing flexible working. It says the real problem are managers who think the best staff are those who arrive first in the morning and leave late at night. The article cites Lehman Brothers who are providing training for managers. Personnel Today points out that some managers find flexible working a threat to their own future fearing that empowered workers may not need managers as traditional staff did
The above article also quotes Mary Mercer from Sussex University whose research has shown that men are also interested in work-life balance and would like to work shorter hours. She points out that even more men would be interested if they did not fear that it would impact negatively on their career prospects.
Yet another article in the Sunday Times also quotes efforts by Citigroup to find ways to address the needs of new fathers.
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Submitted by karamat on Sun, 2008-08-24 19:02.