Here’s a worrying thought. Take your age then add 36, and that’s how many years old you will be before Australia may see a balanced representation of male and female leaders.
Cassandra Kelly, the CEO of strategic and financial advisory firm Pottinger, believes no matter how young you are 36 years is too long for Australia to wait for leadership equality.
Speaking at the 50/50 Future Leaders Forum, a Leaders in Heels event, in Sydney last night, Kelly said ensuring more women smash through the glass ceiling is one of the best things all Australians can do to make the workplace fairer and see economy prosper.
Kelly was joined by a number of senior executives including Diana Ryall, Andrew Stevens, Kate Burleigh and Origin Energy Chair Gordon Cairns.
Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Liz Broderick facilitated the discussion which covered topics such as equal pay, flexible work arrangements for working mums and the role men need to play to ensure change occurs.
Intel’s Kate Burleigh admitted she almost didn’t accept the invitation, because so often such events are only attended by women, rendering the discussion virtually pointless.
“There has to be men in the audience if I am going to speak,” said Burleigh, a statement echoed by Kelly who once attended a similar discussion whereby the only male in attendance was the security guard.
Gordon Cairns agrees there will be no progress made if women only talk, or complain, about their situation to other women.
“Men invented the system,” he told the audience. “They run the system and if no-one challenges them they have no incentive to change the system.”
It’s clear stereotypes still exist when it comes to how women are perceived in the workplace and how they act. Cairns recalled a story whereby a female company secretary was asked by another board member to make him a coffee, and instead of speaking up she did as he asked. Meanwhile, every performance review or interview Cairns has held in his career his male employees have talked money, whereas most women do not broach the subject.
IBM’s Andrew Stevens is fed up. “I’m getting angrier (about inequality) not more calm,” he said last night. “If you’re not feeling uncomfortable then nothing’s changing. Anyone who has a daughter and a son… it’s infuriating to think that one of those children has less opportunity than another. It’s appalling and I can’t sit by and let that pass.”
Stevens is particularly concerned about the discrimination pregnant women and working mothers face. A recent Human Rights Commission report found 49% of women who have been pregnant or discussed starting a family have felt discriminated against in the workplace.
Yet perhaps moulding to the stereotype that women don’t speak up, only one in 10 of those women made a formal complaint. Almost a quarter said not long after they spoke up they lost their role either through redundancy or restructure.
Dianna Ryall says discrimination for some women starts long before the baby bump. She has noticed women being passed over for senior roles as soon as they have an engagement ring or even announce they’re “going steady”. Ryall says it leads to speculation a woman won’t be sticking around for the long haul.
Ryall, who was Managing Director for Apple Australia until 2001, said she had been with the company for 15 years before anyone even acknowledged the concept of working mums. “There were no pictures (of children), you didn’t talk about it…..It was weird.”
All panel members agreed more flexible workplace arrangements are needed to ensure a high calibre of women remain in the workplace once they become mothers. But more importantly, the discussion needs to be had as to why women are still considered the sole primary carer.
Liz Broderick believes many Australians have the attitude that women are only good mothers if they’re not working. “Doesn’t matter if they’re drinking, smoking, gambling,” she joked, “as long as they’re with their kids.”
Cassandra Kelly thinks one way to smash those stereotypes is to take the “glass elevator” to the top. She urges women to stop thinking they have to be the good girl, and start speaking up and taking action.
“If you can, just stay (in the workplace),” she said. “Sometimes just staying can be an inspiration and maybe other women will then stay too.”
Stevens and Cairns are two men passionate about making change in the workplace. Cairns says it’s up to women to start calling out discrimination and to seek out support or sponsors in the workplace. Ultimately however, men at the top also need to embrace change and empower women.
“I don’t want my daughter to face the same discriminations my wife did,” Cairns said.
“And the most important role I will ever have, is not Sex Discrimination Commissioner,” said Broderick. “The most important role I will ever have is raising a son who realises gender equality is the only path.”