ACCORDING to one of Britain’s top business woman, excessive maternity leave and eye-watering sex discrimination payouts could backfire on women.
The newspapers reported this week that Nicola Pease, deputy chairman of JO Hambro capital management denied allegations of sexism in the City, claiming most women did not rise through the ranks because of their own choices rather than any prejudice against them.
Moneyed mother of three
I could not believe my eyes when I read what this moneyed, mother of three told the Treasury Select Committee meeting. This woman, who together with her hedge fund manager husband is worth £204 million, went on to say that although women in the workplace were ‘a really capable, practical and driven bunch of multi-taskers’ – bosses might be reluctant to employ them for fear they could go on to have lots of children supported by over-generous maternity leave.
Scandalous
Now, I am only repeating her scandalous words to condemn them. If I were a newspaper editor I would not even report her ridiculous comments for horror that it may seep into the consciousness of even one boss out there, be it man or woman.
Since the beginning of this year, I have been working at a University where I am very happy. It is a great place to work. My colleagues are all such intelligent, caring and reasonable people.
Short sightedness
And I would not be there if it was not for a woman who went on maternity leave. So I wonder what Mrs Pease would say about that? Surely she would not have it that people were unemployed rather than winning an opportunity to cover someone’s maternity leave with the chance of impressing bosses that they keep you on. Such short-sightedness – this makes my eyes water!