Women's Work, Revisited

40+ years of fighting for work equality has a new, two-headed opponent.  Susan J. Lambert, in her NYT article, "When Flexibility Hurts" (9/20/12) makes a strong case that the drive for productivity hurts women at the top, and at the bottom.  Professional women in jobs exempt from overtime pay are overworked, while those in 'pink collar' hourly jobs (waitress, retail sales) are subject to fluctuating schedules that make every payday different.

My own experience supports her arguments.  In my last job as a top HR person, I often wished there were two of me.  I drove between facilities and ran between meetings during the day, and 'after hours' my blackberry buzzed into the wee hours.  It consumed me.  On the other hand, working as a bartender while pursuing other dreams, my daughter sometimes gets to work only to find there are too many people behind the bar, and one needs to leave.

As a compensation professional, I believe I evaluate jobs fairly, without discriminating against women.  But as women still strive to tend the home fires while bringing in the bacon, we are vulnerable to jobs that offer flexibility but don't deliver a dependable wage.  Or, following the male model, require excessive "face" time in the office and keep us tied to our smart phones.

Susan Lambert suggests a change in labor laws, recognizing this is not the likely economic climate for that to happen.  For sure, our 24/7, stagnant economy is creating unique hardships for working women.