The playing field is still a long way from truly being level, but at least we’ve taken a few steps in the right direction.
That was the consensus among our female staff at The Royal Gazette, who shared their thoughts on women’s evolving roles in the workplace over the past two decades.
Kanderee Gatton-Smith, an Advertising Administrator, noted there are more chances for women today.
“Things have changed in the working world as it relates to doors being opened and positions no longer deemed ‘men only’,” Ms Gatton-Smith said.
“Women are given more opportunities now to show their value through knowledge, skills, work ethics and drive.”
This isn’t necessarily reflected in promotions and pay rises, however.
“In some organisations, women are not seen as equals to their male counterparts and rather have to go above and beyond to prove themselves as capable for the role,” Ms Gatton-Smith said.
“In terms of pay scales, and opportunity for growth, women can perform the same duties as men, yet do not receive the same pay or can still be overlooked regarding promotions and the like.”
Marguerita Randall-Carter, an Advertising Solutions Specialist, said women across industries face challenges that men don’t have to worry about, such as the gender wage gap, discrimination, work-life balance and misrepresentation of intentions.
Women risk being accused of being aggressive if they push for leadership roles, she said, or can find themselves micromanaged.
It’s not all doom and gloom though.
“I believe it is easier now, as career progression is no longer confined to a single, linear path,” Ms Carter said.
“Flexibility, new opportunities, and shifting workplace structures have allowed women to explore different avenues for growth.”
Sharalle Riley-Archibald, a Sales/Classified Team Administrator, recalled that in years gone by women who got promoted were seen as opportunists.
“I believe that attitudes towards women in the workplace have changed,” she said. “Today, they are viewed as equals on the playing field.”
With the right work ethic, knowledge, experience and morals, Ms Riley-Archibald said, women can advance to the top.
Sarah Lagan, Chief Reporter, has negotiated the dual role of journalist and mother.
“They say the news never sleeps and, in my early years of mother hood, neither did my child!
“It certainly took some adapting to but now my daughter is older, and I’m a little wiser, I’ve learned to better balance my responsibilities.”
That includes everything from hitting tight deadlines in the newsroom to creating a loving, wholesome and educational environment at home.
A support network has been key to making it all work out.
“We are working parents with family living away,” Ms Lagan said. “So it’s been necessary to share roles with a few trusted friends while ensuring our daughter has access to a couple of fulfilling extracurricular activities.”
Jessie Moniz Hardy, a Business and Lifestyle writer, has juggled similar responsibilities.
“When I had my daughter in 2007, I went on shorter hours. This should have reduced my stress, but it didn’t,” Ms Moniz Hardy said.
“There were times when I was able to take my daughter to the park, and others when interviews still needed to be done in the afternoon.”
Interruptions from the youngster became commonplace when, for example, the DVD froze, or cookies ran out, or there “just weren’t enough chihuahuas in this particular film”.
“Then I would hear, ‘Mommy’…” Ms Moniz Hardy said.
If all this sounds painfully familiar, she has a few words of advice.
“To the career moms I say: it gets better. Hang in there.”
