Jennifer Lee Magas, M.A., J.D. (she/her)’s Post

As we move through 2024, it’s clear that the conversation about women in the workforce is more important than ever. The latest data is promising: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women now represent nearly 47% of the workforce and are breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields like technology and finance. Educational achievements are also notable, with women earning over 60% of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. However, we can’t ignore the ongoing challenges. The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024 highlights that the gender pay gap remains a significant hurdle, with women earning about 84 cents for every dollar men make. Representation in top executive roles is still lacking, with women occupying just 30% of C-suite positions globally (2024 Catalyst report). Family and caregiving responsibilities also disproportionately impact women’s careers, as highlighted by a 2024 McKinsey & Company study showing that women are 1.5 times more likely than men to handle unpaid caregiving, affecting their career growth and earnings. To drive real change, companies need to adopt supportive policies, ensure pay transparency, and offer flexible work options. By focusing on these strategies, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable workforce. Supporting women not only boosts individual careers but also fuels broader innovation and growth, paving the way for a more balanced and dynamic future for everyone.

This article is very encouraging. I was concerned, as so many others were, when millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic. We need women in the workforce. We need their intelligence, their innovations, and their leadership alongside their male counterparts. According to the article, “the labor participation rate for prime-age women between 25 and 54 reached an all-time high of 77.8% in June 2023 according to the Labor Department.” Let’s hope that trend continues. Click the link below to learn why women are returning to work. https://buff.ly/4cs6xNn #bravewomen #returningtowork

#WomenInTech are #jobsearching and looking for #careerchange at a significantly higher rate than male colleagues. Why? The persistent #paygap and #workplaceculture issues often leave women feeling marginalized. (On average, women in tech earn only 71% of what men earn for comparable work.) The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) urges all #techleaders to tackle the issue of #salaryparity and #inclusion seriously. It is imperative for #innovation to thrive! (Thanks CIO Magazine for highlighting). #equalpay, #DEI, #maleallies, #compensationequality, #culturechange https://lnkd.in/gRHnN7zY

International Women’s Day - what’s all the fuss about… And we all love a bit of rigour - so here’s a few stats for you: Women in the Workplace Statistics 101: 💫Women account for 47.7% of the global workforce. 💫Canada has the highest female labor force participation rate at 61.3%. 💫50.2% of the college-educated workforce are women. 💫A whopping 75% of self-employed women love their job. 🔥Only 27.1% of women are managers and leaders. 🔥61% of women think motherhood disrupts their progress opportunities. 🔥For the past 20 years, the number of women software engineers has increased by just 2%. 🔥42% of women claim they have been discriminated at work because of their gender. 🔥48% of women occupy entry-level roles. 🔥Work-life balance causes conflict for an astonishing 72% of women. I hope you find the enclosed an interesting read… And if you’d like more like this, why not sign up for our weekly newsletter - Leadership from the Frontline. https://lnkd.in/dYVsE9hV Fortune Favours The Bold. #Leadership #IWD24 #Resilience #EmpoweringSuccess #FutureOfWork https://lnkd.in/d_ggbw5q

3 Reasons Women Are Reentering the Workforce at A Record Pace In her first article as a Forbes Contributor, our CEO Kate Duchene shared her insights on three factors that are contributing to the resurgence of women leaders in the workplace. New analysis from Moody’s shows that women are leading the labor force participation rebound in major economies around the world since the pandemic.   https://lnkd.in/esK_x9VV   #WomenInTheWorkforce #WorkforceTrends #NowOfWork #DareToWorkDifferently

  3 Reasons Women Are Reentering the Workforce at A Record Pace In her first article as a Forbes Contributor, our CEO Kate Duchene shared her insights on three factors that are contributing to the resurgence of women leaders in the workplace. New analysis from Moody’s shows that women are leading the labor force participation rebound in major economies around the world since the pandemic.   https://lnkd.in/gXZXwt_g   #WomenInTheWorkforce #WorkforceTrends #NowOfWork #DareToWorkDifferently  

More women than ever have entered the American workforce.  Women now hold a record 79 million jobs, and the share of women in their prime working years who are employed or seeking work now stands at 77.9%, up from 75.8% five years ago. But it’s not time for a victory lap just yet. Demand for employees plus more remote work opportunities and a surge in female entrepreneurs have led to a flood of women entering the labor force. But many women who took the work-from-home opportunities to enter or rejoin the workforce say they are effectively working two full-time jobs. Sarika Paralkar recently started a full-time environmental fellowship with her local Oakland, Calif., city government. She had left her job in tech after giving birth to twin girls almost 10 years ago to focus on raising them. Since the position only requires Paralkar, 44, to be in the office a few times a month, she’s still able to shuttle her twins to and from school, camp, playdates and extracurricular activities. She thought that would make for an ideal compromise between being either at home or in an office full time. Instead, she often feels like she isn’t living up to her own expectations for herself as either a mother or an employee. “As much as I appreciate the flexibility, I often feel like I would rather go into work so that I don’t have the constant drumbeat in my head of the chores that need to happen around the house,” she said. Paralkar’s situation is becoming a new normal. Women in heterosexual partnerships still, on average, take on more of the child-raising bargain than do men. Work-from-home can exacerbate an existing gender divide, said Dartmouth College economics professor Claudia Olivetti. Moms have to ask themselves: “Are you taking on more child care because you have a more flexible job, or did you take a more flexible job because you were already doing most of the child care?” Olivetti said. 🔗 Read more about how women are propping up the American economy while holding down the fort at home: https://lnkd.in/eWN_ym4Z

This is the story of working women throughout history: balancing work, home care, child care, and parental care. Women have shouldered these responsibilities for centuries, contributing immeasurably to society and the economy while often facing inadequate compensation for their efforts. It's time for a shift. Here are key steps that can drive change: Lead by Example: Men in senior leadership roles should model best practices by taking parental leave and actively participating in infant care. This normalizes the idea that caregiving is a shared responsibility. Champion Family Responsibilities: Male leaders should be visible in their roles at home, such as picking up children from daycare and handling family meals. Sharing these experiences publicly can help break down outdated stereotypes. Commit to Remote Work: Companies need to offer genuine remote work options. The traditional model of requiring employees to be in the office a few days a week is often less productive and fails to account for the proven effectiveness of remote work. Women, who frequently excel in remote environments, have demonstrated that they can be highly productive and loyal when given the flexibility they need. and more...

Navigating the Labyrinth of Career Transition: Strategies for Women Re-entering the Workforce After a Hiatus Read More: https://lnkd.in/eUHBPsj9 The modern workplace is in a state of flux, transforming with the times and the tides of societal expectations. Especially for women, the pa...

Understanding women's progress and challenges in the workforce.