Blog 36

Blog 36

Yes, I believe corporate America can lure women back into the workforce, but corporate America is going to have to change their ways in order to accomplish this. For far too long, women have been the ones on the short end of the stick in the workforce. Women must be paid the same as their male counterparts. If a woman is doing the same job as a man, then the pay must be the same.
Another big need for women in the workforce (and men, as well) is the option of a reasonable flex schedule. I say men as well because, if they are the caregiver, they need the same options. Let’s say the lady is fairly new in her job. She is not going to have much sick time built up yet. In fact, in many companies, you cannot take sick time or vacation time for up to six months after starting the job. This needs to change. Those receiving our care do not wait till we are able to take sick time or have the sick time built up. In other words, sickness does not take a holiday.
Something else that would help lure women would be flex scheduling regardless of whether they are caregivers or not. With fuel costs so unstable and the possible long distances people may have to drive to their places of employment, being able to work from home a day or two per week or even more would definitely help lure women back. I know of one lady who is in a low paying job right now and drives over sixty miles roundtrip to work each day. She makes just barely enough money to pay for her gasoline. She works in daycare, so she obviously could not work flex time from home, but working something like four ten hour days would help.
Offering day care at the place of employment or very nearby at either no cost or a drastically reduced cost would be a wonderful lure. Today’s child care costs make it cheaper in a lot of cases for women not to work.
Instituting these policies would definitely lure a lot more women back to the workforce. Women like to be made to feel they have something to offer just like men do, so let’s get them in the workforce. (Word Count – 388)