Something I wrote a while back, but feel compelled to share today… “What can we do to encourage more mothers back into the workforce?” was the question posted on the company’s employee online chat forum, in reaction to our nation’s looming skills shortage.The usual well-meaning responses followed: flexible hours; adjustable pay depending on hours worked; fostering a supportive internal perception … [Read more...]
I’m not a troublemaker…I’m just a mum
Sometimes a little voice whispers in my head: “be careful what you write…you never know who could be reading.”And then I hit the publish button.Sometimes friends email me on the quiet, asking who some of my ‘characters’ are based on…especially those pieces about my experience in the corporate world. Of course I keep schtum. It’s never my intention to ridicule or disparage. Then there are times … [Read more...]
Awkward office moments
Back at work? Feeling glum as you sit in your cubicle and stare at your inbox? What you need in an AOM – Awkward Office Moment. Not only can an AOM lift the mood of even the most sterile open plan office, they serve as timely reminders that no matter how sharp the suit or how high the heels, behind all that professional gloss is a human. Having worked in office environments now for more than 15 … [Read more...]
Bloggers are not bottom feeders
A tweet got me thinking. It was from a restaurateur complaining that bloggers, who ask to be ‘fed for free’ when they do reviews, have ‘pure bad manners’. Now, I totally get the ‘ethical parameters’ required for writing food reviews, and when I read the tweet I felt the tackiness of what must have been an awkward exchange between a blogger and the restaurateur. But when I read the supportive cries … [Read more...]
What? Me nervous?!
When it comes to speech making, I’ve seen some of the toughest people in business turn into vulnerable heaps of quivering jelly. While it’s tempting to prod them to see just how much they wobble, it’s been my job to nourish them with constructive feedback and guidance so they can walk confidently on stage and grab their audience by the proverbials. So, you’d think that when I’m asked to speak … [Read more...]
Tweeting business with pleasure
I often ponder the perils of tweeting business with pleasure. I’ve written about the dilemmas of self-censorship before.But, while many warn it’s best to keep things as ‘professional’ as possible, I do find it hard sometimes to resist having a bit of fun – maybe even crack a joke that involves a fart. (Did I just write fart? Yes I did! F-A-R-T. Did anyone die? No, they didn’t.)You see, some tweeps … [Read more...]
Working Mum – a dirty term?
This week I ruffled some feathers when I used the term ‘working mum’ in an article I wrote for the corporate world. It was a slap in the face for someone who feels strongly about supporting mothers who choose (or have little choice) to work.The offence? Apparently ‘working mum’ suggests: “she’s a mum first and a worker second”. The complainant argued that some women prefer a ‘professional front’ … [Read more...]
Going nuts about self-censorship
A few nights ago, something kept me up (apart from our impending trip to Ireland, which is now only three sleeps away).Before I hit the sack, I tweeted about comedian Jason Byrne, who I had just watched perform at the Enmore Theatre. I alluded to one of his jokes involving, well, nuts (if you were there, you’re probably laughing hysterically now).Lying in bed, I started to feel uneasy. I did a … [Read more...]
Confessions of a BC bitch
Recently, I blogged about women hiding their motherhood at work. With the likes of me, is it really any wonder? I was a corporate bitch clambering my way to the top. If anyone got in my way I would stab them with my heel, chew them up and spit them out - especially any of those soft-assed working-mum types.Ok, major exaggeration for the sake of a good opener.It is, however, true to say that my … [Read more...]
Undercover mums
I recently blogged about a difficult decision to knock back a pretty amazing job at a pretty amazing company. While there were generous offers of flexibility, I just couldn’t reconcile in my mind how I would handle a call from the CEO during an awkward domestic situation: Phone rings Me: “Hello.” Amazing CEO: “Hello. This is amazing CEO of amazing company here. I need you to do something … [Read more...]