A paradox at work

Men often dismiss debate on gender inequality in the workplace as a combination of troublesome feminism combined with unjustified paranoia. Ask a man if there’s a glass ceiling in the organisation and the answer is generally no. Ask a woman in the same organisation and you’ll get an in-depth analysis. Male managers are rarely interested in discussing such concerns – after all, they’ve got a job to do and no time to spend on vague issues that don’t directly affect them.

The good news, however, is that changes in our economy mean more knowledge-based jobs and movement away from old structures. It’s interesting that the most marked rise of women in the workplace has been in personnel, finance, business services and the public sector. Perhaps these rapidly changing, customer-focused organisations are better able to abandon the old hierarchies and working practices that prevent many women realising their full potential.

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