53
I write a column for our local newspaper entitled, Women at Work.
In your opinion, what issues do women still face at work? Have you faced something at work and overcome? Please feel free to share. I am always looking for a column topic!
Anonymous
01/05/22 at 6:20AM UTC
Ageism and pay gap is real. I don't belong to the cool "bro" group too. Denied of promotion coz someone was in the company more than me by 2 and half decades with a lower designation. seriously? my manager is a jerk.
TroyCustomer Service Leader in Atlanta
317
01/04/22 at 2:27AM UTC
Hey Kristen, what speaks to me is how to been seen in the workplace. Case in point, I have interviewed for a few positions at my current job, which is in sales, but when I apply for positions w/i my dept I am overlooked even though I am already doing the work.
And the infamous equal pay. When will women get their just do?
Anonymous
01/03/22 at 1:38PM UTC
Being treated differently once you become engaged, pregnant or after having a child. I was encouraged not to take a promotion once I was engaged since my boss assumed an engagement would lead to marriage and than a baby.
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:13PM UTC
Wow - that is nuts! Is it ok if I send more questions directly to you?
Anonymous
01/05/22 at 1:43PM UTC
For my summer break one year, my boyfriend and I traveled to europe. He proposed while there, so of course I posted in on my personal social media. Word got around my work that I was engaged (it was a secret, I was planning on telling everyone when I got back). The day I came back, my boss called and said “we want you to take this promotion, but think long and hard. Now that you’re engaged, your one step closer to having children. If you are considering having children in the next 10 years, then you should not take this promotion”.
Being that I was 30 and always knew I wanted kids, it broke my heart to know that based on this conversation, I wouldn’t have the chance to have both a family and a better position in the company I worked for over the last 5 years. It also hurt my feelings that there was no congratulations or excitement for my engagement - it was more of a bothersome for my employer.
the promotion would have been the same hours & same pay, just a better opportunity within the company.
Anonymous
01/05/22 at 2:15PM UTC
*Edit (It was NOT a secret about the engagement)
User deleted comment on 01/05/22 at 1:36PM UTC
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.66k
01/02/22 at 6:55PM UTC
If you are a "woman of a certain age" (let's say over 40ish), you're viewed as technically inept.
If you are a "woman of a certain size," you're viewed as just generally inept.
Mansplaining.
Less pay.
Unable to fundraise a startup. In 2020 2.3% of VC money was raised by female founders (and most of the female founders who raised were in the beauty and health verticals).
Being passed over for promotions.
Have I faced these? Yes, have I overcome? Partly. It's fine to say, "I didn't get promoted so I left for a better job", but we are still behind - two years of making less money, means we are two years behind and need to make twice the difference of our pay for two years to just break even, while our male cohort has already been promoted or gotten their next raise.
Are things better than they were 30 years ago? Absolutely.
Are things changing fast enough for us? Nope
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:15PM UTC
I get what you mean by things are better now, but . . . there are so many things that are just not ok. I do understand the "bigger" size thing - I fit that category, and I know what you mean. Are you ok with me sending more questions?
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.66k
01/03/22 at 11:04PM UTC
You are welcome to reach out to me. :) DM me and I'll send you my email address.
User deleted comment on 01/02/22 at 6:52PM UTC
Jackie RukaProfessionalHappyologist Thrive in your purpose.
2.72k
01/02/22 at 6:50PM UTC
i work with many women who are have a laundry list of what's not working at work. Happy to share and offer a quote for your column. Many include, job responsibility add - on to current role, too much work with not enough hours in the week to meet expectations, low staffing and help, poor communication and leadership, a job that has changed from what was previously hired to do, burnout, overwhelm... are the top ones. Hope that helps Kristen.
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:24PM UTC
You can share as much as you want and as many ideas as you have. I have been writing this column for ten years, every week, and I love ideas and quotes and anything!!
KatFGB VIP - Sharing knowledge, providing support
3.8k
01/02/22 at 5:42PM UTC
Pay gaps based on gender, glass ceiling, ageism, work/life balance, mental health challenges - so many big issues to choose from. If you need to keep it more local, look at impacts on local businesses from Covid, female entrepeneurs/small biz owners, DEI initiatives at local companies and things like that.
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:24PM UTC
I can do local, and I can do "big picture". I could write about you if you would like.
Anonymous
01/02/22 at 4:38PM UTC
Stigma for having kids. If married, not being "serious" about their career because their husband is (often) the main breadwinner.
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:25PM UTC
I remember I was always the one who had to handle appointments, rides, being home when kids were sick . . . etc. Even though we matched incomes, I was always the one who missed work.
Anonymous
01/08/22 at 12:03AM UTC
Yeah I was a single mom and juggled it all myself. My career was by necessity back burnered and I did not advanced like I should have during my prime working years.
MaryamSenior Engineering Leader
390
01/02/22 at 4:33PM UTC
The presumption that women are less technical is still prevalent.
Kristen Herring Asleson
53
01/03/22 at 8:25PM UTC
Which is crazy! I see a big push right now for women to get into cyber security.
