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Articles on Women in the workforce

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The birth of children results in large earnings losses that are not equally distributed within heterosexual couples. (Shutterstock)

The motherhood pay gap: Why women’s earnings decline after having children

New research shows that women’s earnings are negatively impacted by having children, while men’s aren’t. The effects can be long-lasting and contribute to the gender pay gap.
In an effort to increase tourism, Saudi Arabia recently eased its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe still mandatory for Saudi women. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Women in Arab countries find themselves torn between opportunity and tradition

In countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, it’s now official policy that women should go to college and work outside the home. But cultural pressure to marry and have kids remains strong.
New research indicates women are much happier when they work with other women, as opposed to men. Here a scene from the set of ‘Ocean’s Eight’ with Cate Blanchett and Rihanna looking happy working together.

Women feel better when they work with other women

Men have defended gender segregation by treating women who cross over into male-dominated occupations with scorn and ridicule.
The federal government has long shown a hiring preference for veterans to help them find jobs following their service. Sara D. Davis/AP Images for U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

US civil service’s preference for hiring military vets comes at a hidden cost

The US government has long shown a hiring preference for veterans. But because of the demographics of the US military, this has limited the federal workforce’s diversity.
To bolster women’s employment participation as Tony Abbott so desires, better funding for child care would be a good way to go. AAP/Alan Porritt

Abbott should dump, not ‘refine’, his paid parental leave scheme

Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed over the weekend that he will use the parliamentary summer break to review his paid parental leave (PPL) scheme, which has so far proven to be a large political liability…
Women play computer games, but they don’t drive the industry. EPA

Without women, the computer game boom years may not last

An encouraging report by the International Game Developers Association recently found that women now make up 22% of the computer game workforce. This is a massive improvement from the previous figure of…
A modern rarity. Tulane Public Relations

No more excuses for the lack of women experts on air

Executives from four major news providers – BBC, ITN, Channel 4 and Sky – have pledged to try to improve the number of women interviewed as experts on their programmes; and this summer will be the test…
This is a stock image of a happy female academic. She hasn’t realised she isn’t likely to make professor. Image sourced from www.shutterstock.com

Stereotypes of women and work leave academics out of the picture

In a clever marketing move, Facebook’s finance chief Sheryl Sandberg and stock photography supplier Getty Images recently released a series of photos which represented women in “more empowering ways…
Women who are suddenly forced to rely entirely on insecure part-time work can find themselves rapidly sliding out of the middle class. Daria Filimonova/Shutterstock

Eviction from the middle class: how tenuous jobs penalise women

The Conversation is running a series, Class in Australia, to identify, illuminate and debate its many manifestations. Here, Veronica Sheen discusses how insecure jobs can cause women in midlife to tumble…
She can change the country. incandopolis

The revolution for India’s urban women must start at home

Since the Delhi gang rapes in 2012, the plight of women in urban India has found global attention. Much has been said about rights and safety in cities, but none of that will make a sustainable impact…
EasyJet boss Carolyn McCall is one of few women at the top of UK business. Steve Parsons/PA

The evidence is clear: firms do better with women on board

In the UK, women make up just just 17.3% of FTSE 100 companies’ board members. This puts the UK 5th in the world behind Norway, Sweden, Finland and France. Things are certainly improving: 44% of new appointments…

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