Contributed by Ireland based Janet Anderson (name changed)
It is very sad to see European men not as open minded as they claim. Even in this day and age, many of them still think that women don’t need to be acknowledged or paid the same as men in the same position. Continue Reading
Contributed by Ireland based Janet Anderson (name changed)
I have worked in three European countries other than my own and been offered jobs at lower than required minimum payment. The local companies think of foreigners as stupid and not knowing the law. On the contrary, I found my two American employers in the same countries; I must say these are the companies that have actually followed the laws of equal opportunities and equality in the best way possible. Continue Reading
Ireland based Janet Anderson (name changed) will be writing for WhenWomenWork occasionally, under an anonymous name, sharing her experiences as a working professional.
Having worked in four European countries, including my country of birth, I can say European companies are all discriminatory in varying degrees going up to extreme high. Employers don’t seem to want you unless you speak the language of the country to perfection, have the ‘correct’ sounding name and even the ‘correct’ skin colour. Qualifications does not always matter so much. It seems to have less to do with racism and more with a fear of the new: new ways of thinking, a different culture than their own etc. I would actually call these countries arrogant.
In contrast, American companies in Europe are much more fair and law abiding - more on this in another post.
It is not easy getting a job either in Europe; but I must say if you are lucky and do get a job, you are actually almost guaranteed payment of salaries, equal rights and help from unions etc.
Is it true, as some would believe, that women get away with things at work in a way men cannot? Or do you believe they face challenges men don’t and deserve some privileges, if any? I put this question to men around the globe – some of the responses are given here. Will leave it to come to your own conclusions. Add your views to comments below or write to ajay@ajayjain.com.
“One of the main problem areas of the last 10 years has been the way political correctness has attempted to undermine the differences between men and women. Men and women are fundamentally different. The way they see things is different, the way they work is different - how they manage challenge is different.
It isn’t a matter of right or wrong - it’s just a matter of difference.
I am saying this because, from experience, if a manager is to manage both sexes equally well (or equally badly?) then that manager has to understand the differences in behaviour and perception. This is where many problems arise in corporate life.
Also, going against the grain of what others have to say, I can state categorically that women DO get away with more things at work than a man does, especially in the area of corporate politics. Read on, there’s lots more
It is not about stereotypes here, but women with children do faced challenged when off to work; after all, the children do need to be taken care of. Should companies have a role to play here? Yes, say working mothers – and this opinion resonates globally across countries and societies including India, USA and Malaysia. Here are some opinions - would you have any to share?
I would like a day care centre for working mothers within office premises. By the way, this is mandatory for all companies in India according to the labour laws, but no one seems to be adhering to it. - Shweta Kapoor, Sapient, South Korea
DAYCARE!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the one things needs changing in companies. In the US it is ridiculously expensive and not always available. - Soledad Quiroz, Graduate Student at Michigan State University, USA There’s more - Continue Reading
