Kolb weighs in on flexibility and women of color in the workplace for 2006
The Arizona Daily Star’s “Working flexibility, increasing benefits improving workers’ lot in U.S.” (Jan. 5) evaluates flexibility options in the workforce and continuing challenges in advancement for women of color. Many employers are making organizational changes in order to recruit and retain employees and to increase productivity and loyalty. The article also looks at the trend of challenges for women of color. One of the biggest challenges currently is women of color being overlooked for promotions. While told they are “in the pipeline” for consideration, advancement happens at a slow pace. Addressing recent comments given from senior level executives on women in business and science, Deborah Kolb, Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Professor for Women and Leadership says, “the sexist attitude expressed by these top leaders that caregiving responsibilities render women ineffective won’t abate in 2006 unless employed women and their organizations do something about it.” These putdowns “lead to limited opportunities and turnover… [Women must] proactively negotiate for their own opportunities. Companies need to pay attention to inequities in the assignments they give. They can also be more creative in the way they structure work, so that people can better manage their work and personal lives.”
Learn more about Simmons SOM Executive Education programs for middle and senior level women who are ready to assume increased leadership responsibilities: Open Enrollment Programs
Filed under CGO News and MBA News and SOM News
View all news & events for February 2006