gender gap « Henkel Diversity Blog

Depression the top career killer? / Depressionen als Karrierekiller?

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

The US National Alliance on Mental Illness reports about women, who are two to three times more likely to experience depression than men. Depression could also be an additional reason for the gender gap.

About 5 million working women in the US suffer from depression. The results of a survey by the National Mental Health Association and the American Medical Women’s Association were, that 83% of women who suffer from depression, think it’s the main reason for failing their careers.

Additionally working women tend to hide their depression because they fear to become a social outcast. On the other hand, for some women it’s the best way out of depression is to getting job and to leave home. A fulfilling job improves self-esteem, can help to reduce depression or event prevent their onset.

At Henkel there are several offers for employees to protect from depression and burn-out. Henkel encourages its employees to find their personal right mix of work-life-balance, relaxing and engaging. [DE]

(more…)

Report on equality between women and men 2010 / Bericht über die Gleichheit zwischen Männern und Frauen 2010

Friday, March 26th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

Each year, the European Commission reports to the European Council on developments towards gender equality and challenges that emerged. This year’s report points out that there is a generally positive trend towards a gender-equal society.

However, differences in employment, pay, working-hours and management positions persist. As future challenges, the report identifies a synergy between gender equality and employment, the reconciliation between work and family, the promotion of social inclusion and gender equality as well as preventing gender-based violence. As a conclusion, the commission calls to the European Council and to all EU-Nations to respond to these challenge ans transform commitment into action and results. [DE]

(more…)

Salary report by the magazine Wirtschaftswoche and Personalmarkt Services / Gehaltstest der Wirtschaftswoche und der Vergütungsberatung Personalmarkt

Thursday, March 25th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

The magazine Wirtschaftswoche and Personalmarkt Services compared the salaries of 470 careers and positions. The results are mainly negative. The salaries of top-managers increase while those of university graduates constantly decrease. The gap between women and men still exists and the net income of German employees decreased in 2009. Positive news is, that the old principle “who stays the longest at the company earns the most” no longer exists. Performance is the determining factor for a rise in salary and specialists can expect pay raises up to 5 percent. [DE]

(more…)

The income gender gap/Der Gehaltsunterschied zwischen Männern und Frauen

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on March 8, the Federal Statistic Office released data on the income gender gap. According to the numbers, women in Germany earn 23.3 percent less than man. In Italy, the difference amounts only to 4.9 percent. These numbers could easily be misinterpreted. The released data include only working people and compare very different job types with each other. For these reasons, the released data give an overview, but no indication for the equality between men and women. [DE]

(more…)

As the 21st century is the century of women, more women will be on management boards in the future . Change is needed ! Where?# AM