Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
It’s not always easy to leave a job when you have to provide for your family. Obviously, you don’t want to give up your source of income. That said, there are some telltale signs that you might be better off elsewhere as a woman. Some reasons women move on from good jobs are personal and have everything to do with their goals. However, if you believe that your employer isn’t fair to women overall, it’s likely time to reevaluate your place. Let’s take a look at just a few scenarios that just might be cause for shopping around.
No Chance for Promotion (Discrimination)
If you have noticed an ongoing trend of men constantly getting noticed and promoted at your company, you’re not alone by any means. Though women’s rights in the workplace have come a long way, there are still substantial cases of discrimination all over the world. Because these cases are difficult to prove, most women simply move on rather than rock the boat with legal action.
One thing that you can do to protect yourself from this type of gender discrimination is to always ask about company culture, promotion protocols, and human resources before you accept a job. Furthermore, if you do have conversations with your management team, take detailed notes or even record the discussions with their permission, of course. That way you have a record of what was said, so it can be compared to the action or lack of action taken.
Harassment Complaints Aren’t Taken Seriously
Though harassment complaints are common, it shouldn’t be typical for them to be ignored. Unfortunately, many women are offended or harassed by their male colleagues or managers and never find resolve. This can happen because they are afraid to speak up, they are being threatened, or there isn’t anyone to trust with this information.
If you are experiencing anything that doesn’t seem right at your job, try to resolve it if you can with diplomatic communication. Though this might not bring the results you want, it is best to leave a trail of good intention. This will come in handy should you decide to leave the company. You also might need a record of your attempts to be heard if you have to seek legal action.
Also, before you agree to work for a new company, discuss the specific protocols for employee grievances. In fact, it is even a good idea to meet with the human resources manager and other employees as a part of your vetting process. Remember, you have as much right to check out a company before you accept a job as they do to check all of your references.
No Consideration for Family
Check on your company’s policies regarding maternity leave, child care, and other family leave protocols. If they don’t meet your expectations or needs, it could be a good enough reason to seek alternative employment. After all, it says a lot about a company if they don’t consider the needs of their female employees with families. Simply put, being a mother shouldn’t place a woman’s job stability and income source at risk.
The good thing is that there are companies that value women and families. This is certainly something you can find out before you take a job. So if you are looking for new employment, make a list of the important aspects you want to discuss during the interview process. Though you might not think about it, things like flexible hours, leave policies, company events, and holidays could be important in the future.
You can honestly tell how a company feels about its employees by how much attention it places on making them feel special. Some companies hold extensive events like picnics, holiday parties, and even go all out with things like funfair hire so families can gather and have fun.
Leaving a job can be stressful and, obviously, it isn’t always the best option. However, there are certain things that simply are not right and need to be addressed. If you aren’t able to get the results you want and need from your present company, remember, finding another job is an option that could bring you peace and a clearer path to your career goals.
