FAQs

PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY

Current statistics indicate that more women than men will be in the workforce within the next five years.

Women in today's workforce face underrepresentation and pay equity challenges.

THE FACTS

• Currently, women lag behind in pay, position, and status.
  
• According to U. S. Census data, women make up 51% of the population and 45% of the American workforce, yet only 12 percent earn between $50,000 and $75,000, compared with 20% of the men.
  
• At present, women earn 73 cents to every man's dollar.
  
• According to a recent survey conducted by Catalyst, a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of women, women make up 15.7% of the top ranking executives at America's largest companies.
  • Six Fortune 500 companies have women CEO's.
    
  • Women hold 12% of board seats.
    
  • Women hold 7.9% of the "corporate clout titles" which include chief executive officer, chairmen, vice-chairman, president, chief operating, officer, senior executive, vice-president, and executive vice-president.
    
  • As for "pipeline" predictions, men currently hold 93% of line positions in Fortune 500 companies with profit-and-loss responsibility - positions that traditionally lead to the top.
    
  • Women earn more undergraduate degrees than men, earn one-third of the MBA's, and make up nearly 30% of lawyers and judges.
    
  • Sixty-two women sit in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fourteen out of 100 Senators are women.
    
  • Four states have elected women governors.
    
  • Two women sit on the U.S. Supreme Court
    
• According to Small Business Administration estimates, by 2005, there will be about 4.7 million self-employed women in the United States, up 77% since 1983.
  
  • Currently, women own approximately 66% of all home-based businesses.

WHO HAS CONTROL OF THE CHECKBOOK?
Statistics suggest that women are not only an underutilized resource, but an economic force.

• Women control about 80% of household spending.
  
• Women make up 47% of investors.
  
• Women purchase 81% of all products and services, buy 75% of all over-the-counter medications, make 81% of retail purchases, and buy 82% of groceries.
  
• Eighty percent of the checks written in the U.S. are signed by women.
  
• Forty percent of all business travelers are women. They are responsible for 51% of all travel and consumer-electronics purchases and influence 85% of all automobile purchases.

WORKING ACROSS CULTURES AND STYLES

Learning to work with individuals of different cultures and styles is critical to succeeding today.

Men and women differ in socialization experiences.

Our socialization experiences lead us to develop "protective standpoints" or boundaries of appropriate behavior for each gender. It is not different as in "better than," but different as in "alternative."

Gender differences are exhibited in:

• Expressions of self-esteem
  
• Communication
  
• Managing and resolving conflicts
  
• Working on teams
  
• Exercising leadership and the utilization of power
  
• Mentoring and networking

Exploring differences in a classroom setting, provides participants with an interactive and insightful approach to solve problems. To better understand inter-relationship dynamics in the workplace, GenderCorp participants will engage in group discussion and practical exercises.

Learn how GenderCorp can help

WOMAN-TO-WOMAN: INTRA-GENDER HARASSMENT

Women gained the vote, but lost "togetherness."

With glass ceilings, walls and doors, women are at a critical point in their history.

Women need to work together in order to overcome pay equality and underrepresentation challenges.

33% of women surveyed reported that they prefer not to work for another woman.

Women engage in "intra-gender harassment." Intra-gender harassment costs American businesses over $39 billion per year.

Intra-gender harassment is covert and subtle forms of sabotage which undermine and detract from a productive environment.

In addition to monetary costs, women-to-woman conflicts undermine career progress, a sense of self-esteem, and physical and mental health.

To better understand women-to-women relationship dynamics in the workplace, GenderCorp participants will engage in group discussion and practical exercises.

Learn how GenderCorp can help

ORGANIZATIONS: THE DECIDING FACTOR

Gender Equality is a business issue and not a "woman's" issue.

It is not a matter of women being unqualified; it is a matter of women being afforded equal opportunities and supported by organizational initiatives which promote work/life balance.

Organizations are slowly taking steps to provide workers with an atmosphere that encourages diversity, advances women, promotes flexibility, and work/life balance. If organizations are committed to retaining the most qualified pool of workers -- men and women -- they must listen to the needs of their diverse workforce and respond in creative and innovative ways.

Organizations play a critical role in helping women rise to the top.

Congenial workplace conditions for ALL employees is good business!

To better understand workplace relationship dynamics, GenderCorp participants will engage in group discussion, case studies, and role-play exercises.

Learn how GenderCorp can help