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Law Society supports firms in developing flexible working
09/12/2011
Law Society research* highlighted a resistance to flexible working within legal firms as 'the single most significant obstacle to women reaching senior roles’ and women are still extremely underrepresented at partner level despite...,p> Read more
1.09 million women are out of the workforce
16/11/2011
Today’s figures* show that 1.09 million women are now out of a job, a seven per cent increase on the same period last year...
Women's Business Council launched to support women in the marketplace
07/11/2011
'For too long we have been overlooking the skills, experience and talents of women," Mrs May said during a speech in London. "Better use of women's skills could be worth billions of pounds to our economy each year.'
Government and businesses discuss women on boards
04/11/2011
Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone met with some of the UK's biggest businesses and the Women on Boards Steering Group yesterday to discuss women in senior boardrooms...
Campaign calls for more women in Government
28/10/2011
A new campaign has been launched this week to call on prime minister David Cameron to appoint more women to senior government roles...
FDM celebrates higher rates of pay for women
19/10/2011
FDM Group is proud not only to be exceeding this average salary by providing all of its IT Consultants with a starting salary of between £21,000 -£23,000, but the company also prides itself on its commitment to retaining its female workforce...
O2 pilots ‘family contract’ for flexible work
07/10/2011
“We recognise that family comes first, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our people to be there for their family when they need to be, whilst managing their job responsibilities...
How to have your pick of the crop
05/10/2011
Are you finding it hard to attract good candidates for your vacant positions? Perhaps it’s a problem with perception...
Sheffield council to settle 900 women in large equal pay case
01/10/2011
900 female workers at Sheffield City Council are in line for equal pay awards after the local authority agreed to settle a long-running legal dispute...
Think. Act. Report. - Theresa May launches initiative to address workplace inequality
18/09/2011
Home Secretary Theresa May has launched an initiative to address workplace inequality between men and women through a voluntary reporting scheme called Think, Act, Report...
Sex and Power Report 2011: 5400 women missing from top jobs
22/08/2011
If women were to achieve equal positions among Britain’s 26,000 top position of power, the Commission estimates that 5,600 women would need...
Talent at the school gates
12/08/2011
The school gates provide us with a great opportunity to speak to talented mums looking for flexible and part-time roles with local business employers...
Careers education and guidance failing some young people
13/07/2011
A new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission indicates that careers education and guidance is failing some young people, particularly disabled people, women and ethnic minorities...
Government submits periodic gender equality report to the UN.
17/06/2011
"The government is committed to equality for women and despite progress over recent decades, there is still a long way to go," commented home secretary and minister for women and equalities Theresa May.
Women claiming benefits at highest level since 1996
20/05/2011
The number of women claiming unemployment benefits has hit its highest level since 1996... The government's policies have not all been bad news for women, however – the Fawcett Society has welcomed proposals for longer parental leave – including for dads – and more flexible working, announced last week, which they believe could be revolutionary if implemented in full...
Government launches consultation on modern working
18/05/2011
“Britain’s workplace laws are in need of modernisation. We have made great strides in addressing explicit discrimination in the workplace, but disadvantage persists. The solution to these challenges, though, is not more bureaucracy, top-down intervention and politically correct quotas, but policies that go with the grain of human nature and maximise flexibility and choice...
Funding for some accredited ITEC courses
04/05/2011
Dartford Adult Education has funding available for some accredited ITEC courses...
The traditional CV is dead!
26/04/2011
Smart Opportunities has launched a dynamic workshop titled 'THE CV REVOLUTION'. The first workshop in this 'Get Hired' series will take place on Friday 6th May 2011. Find out more...
Flexible working 'great for business
21/03/2011
Smart Opportunities for Women is delighted about the government’s commitment to flexible working. We are excited about plans...
James Bond dresses up as a woman to highlight inequality
08/03/2011
Daniel Craig, the James Bond star faces his toughest mission yet - fighting gender inequality in support of International Women's Day...
London hosts exhibition to celebrate the achievements of women
08/03/2011
The remarkable women included in the exhibition are leaders in their fields and have made a significant contribution within their chosen areas...
Strengthening Women's voices in Government
07/03/2011
Today, Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities announced the publication of 'Strengthening Women's voices in Government...
Glass ceiling still exists, according to survey
22/02/2011
Nearly three-quarters of female managers say they still face gender prejudice that prevents them...
CIPD calls for right to flexible working
13/01/2011
The Charted Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) has urged the Government to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees...
Top 50 Women in the Business World
18/11/2010
Retaining her spot at the top of the list is Indra Nooyi, chief executive of PepsiCo, followed by Andrea Jung of Avon Products, Guler Sabanci of Sabanci Group and Irene Rosenfeld of Kraft Foods..
Campaign to get more female representation in boardrooms launched
17/11/2010
A new initiative encouraging UK companies to aim for at least 30% female representation on their boards by 2015...
Equality Act comes into force...
01/10/2010
The Act will prevent businesses from using pay secrecy clauses to hide salary differences between men and women...
Did the Dagenham's women equal pay fight make a difference?
30/09/2010
A new film portrays women's battle for equal pay at Ford Dagenham's plant in the 1960's. But how much difference did they make... Read more
Woman becomes first Avon millionaire after being unemployed for six months
03/09/2010
A woman swapped unemployment and a council house for a million-pound lifestyle by becoming an Avon lady...
Fawcett launches legal challenge to government budget
06/08/2010
"With a budget that risks rolling back women’s independence a generation, we could no longer stand by"
Plans to scrap retirement age of 65
29/07/2010
Workers will no longer be forced to retire at 65 from next year under radical proposals unveiled by the Government.
What does the coalition government mean for women?
04/06/2010
According to the Fawcett society, the new coalition’s ‘programme for government’ and the recent Queen’s speech add up to a mixed-bag for women, with proposals ranging from positive to disappointing to downright disturbing.... Read more
Equal Pay Act: 40 years on
28/05/2010
Four decades after equal pay legislation was introduced female workers are still paid 16.4% less on average than their male counterparts...
Maternity leave for wives of self-employed
24/05/2010
The EU is to update an existing law to give standard social protection rights to self-employed workers and the spouses or life partners of self-employed workers... Read more
Microsoft named best place to work in Europe
21/05/2010
It is the third consecutive year that the technology giant, Microsoft has come out on top in the list... Read more
Driver training more accessible for men
20/05/2010
Employers are failing to provide women with important driver training that is made much more accessible for their male counterparts...
Woman becomes graduate at 94
17/05/2010
A carlifornian woman has proved that age is nothing but a number, and that when there's a will, there's a way... Read more
Fawcett calls for more women in politics
14/05/2010
The government should lead a debate on how to encourage more women to enter politics...
Theresa May now UK's most senior female politician.
13/05/2010
Conservative MP Theresa May has become the UK's most senior female politician after being appointed home secretary... Read more
Parliamentary Candidates asked to pledge their support to Women
05/05/2010
A survey conducted by equality organisation the Fawcett Society, asked 2,285 parliamentary candidates whether they will commit to supporting a wider action against gender inequality...
Read moreFinancial sector failing to properly utilise the talents of women.
06/04/2010
"We are not saying that had women been in charge, the crisis wouldn’t have happened, but we are highlighting the fact that women are poorly represented in the financial sector, particularly at senior level...
Read moreLeadership and business training key to getting more women on boards
24/03/2010
"That was a rude awakening," said Ms. Howard. "There were 50 percent more men than women getting special attention and special development."...
Read moreNewer markets racing ahead with more women at executive level
17/03/2010
“Why, in a country where overall female literacy rates are poor, are so many more women making it to the top? While in Britain, with 30,000 more female undergraduates than male ones, women have not..."
Read moreResilience: Key to Professional Advancement
08/03/2010
An Accenture report titled “Women Leaders and Resilience: Perspectives from the C-Suite,” released as part of Accenture’s sixth global celebration of International Women’s Day, found that...
Read moreBBC’s Question Time invites women-only audience.
05/03/2010
BBC1's politics show, Question Time, will invite a women-only audience on March 11th to coincide with...
Read moreLet's Join Women on the bridge
26/02/2010
Women perform 66% of the world's work but only earn 10% of income...
Read moreLaw firms team up to promote equal opportunities in the workplace.
19/02/2010
The country’s top law firms are tackling gender imbalance and promoting diversity at partnership level by coming together...
Read moreCouncil’s bonus system is ‘sexist’
12/02/2010
According to a CIPD report, Sheffield City Council could be set for a wave of pay compensation claims...
Read moreEqualities commission welcomes panel report.
28/01/2010
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has welcomed a report by the National Equality Panel. The Commission believes that the report is the most detailed research yet... Read more
Report calls for better representation of women in politics
13/01/2010
A report by the House of Commons Speakers Conference recommends that compulsion might be necessary for all political parties to increase the representation of women...
Harriet Harman says broadcast media should value older women
12/01/2010
The Equalities Minister repeated criticism of the BBC and other broadcasters for “outdated” discrimination against older women in journalism.
Government launches Public Leaders training and development courses
07/01/2010
The UK Government in partnership with Common Purpose's About Time campaign has launched two 'Public Leaders' training and development courses...
Government's response to 'pregnancyprotect' petition
24/12/2009
We recently supported a petition asking the Prime Minister to ensure that... Read more
Employers optimistic about hiring
04/12/2009
Employers’ short and medium outlook for growth in permanent recruitment continues to show some improvement...
Read moreThe 2009 FTSE Female Report: Discouraging picture for women
20/11/2009
The 2009 Female FTSE report from Cranfield School of Management has found that the number of female board members of FTSE 100 companies has remained at 12%, the same level as in 2008...
Read moreGovernment committed to equality
19/11/2009
In her opening of parliament speech on the 18th of November 2009, Her Majesty The Queen outlined the government's commitment to equality...
Read moreNew name...same values!
11/11/2009
In order to attract more dynamic organisations, and offer more holistic professional support to women, we have decided to change our name...
Read moreOctober 30 is 'Equal Pay Day'
05/10/2009
On the 30th of October, individuals and groups across the country will be taking action to mark...
Read moreNational Minimum wage increases to £5.80 per hour
02/10/2009
According to the Trade Union Congress, about one million workers are to benefit as the national minimum wage... Read more
Women boxers allowed into the ring for 2012
18/08/2009
Women will be allowed to box at the 2012 Olympics for the first time...
Read moreCommission consults private and voluntary sector employers on their gender pay gap
12/08/2009
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has recently launched a consultation for private and voluntary sector employers with at least 250 staff on how they can measure and report on their gender pay gap...
Read moreSwine flu: Pregnant women told to 'work as usual'
30/07/2009
The Department of Health has confirmed that pregnant women should carry on going to work as usual... Read more
Employers warned to take precaution.
27/07/2009
Employment lawyers have warned that employers who fail to protect their staff... Read more
Discrimination against pregnant (working) women must stop!
15/06/2009
30,000 women every year lose their jobs as a result of becoming pregnant...
Read moreNew Fawcett report finds criminal justice system is 'institutionally sexist'
12/06/2009
A new report by Fawcett’s commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System has found widespread discrimination...
Read moreMore calls for diversity in the boardroom
30/05/2009
In a recent Financial Times article titled ‘Are there board benefits to breaking male hegemony?’...
Read moreTop employers for working families
29/05/2009
To mark its 30th anniversary, Working Families, the UK’s leading work-life balance organisation has published its inaugural list of top employers for working families...
Read moreFirst female Poet Laureate named
01/05/2009
Carol Ann Duffy has been named as the new Poet Laureate. She is the first woman to be appointed in the 341-year history of the post...
Read moreNew Equality Bill announced
29/04/2009
Equalities Minister, Harriet Harman has set out landmark plans to end discrimination, making it easier for women to demand equal pay...
Read moreJudge approves equal pay claims of three female council workers.
07/04/2009
Three female Cumbria County Council workers have won the right to press ahead with equal pay claims...
Read moreUK resists pressure to opt-out from working time directive.
03/04/2009
The UK is continuing to resist pressure to end its opt-out from the EU's maximum 48-hour working week...
Read moreWomen highly under-represented in decision-making positions
16/03/2009
According to a study by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, male candidates still have a better chance of getting elected despite the fact that there are increasing numbers of female candidates...
Read moreEmploy A Woman keen to develop relationships with organisations that share similar values
14/03/2009
Employ A Woman is developing useful relationships and alliances with organisations who share similar values, in order to achieve the organisation’s objectives....
Read moreMinister says Councils must right the wrong of unequal pay
06/03/2009
Local Government Minister John Healey has announced more support for councils to deliver equal pay for thousands of workers, and end years of unfairness...
Read moreIn celebration of womanhood...
02/03/2009
Since the 1900's, women all over the world have observed and celebrated women. There has been a significant change and attitudinal shift about women in the workplace...
Read moreVSO campaigning for new agency to help women
20/02/2009
In 2009 the UN will be deciding whether or not to create a new Women’s Agency. The UN sets global standards for human rights...
Read moreMinister asks Equalities Commission to investigate city bonuses enquiry
13/02/2009
Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman has asked the Equality Human Rights Commission to investigate and to decide if city bonuses discriminate against women...
Read moreCase for diversity stronger now than ever
11/02/2009
At a TUC conference on the 9th of February, General Secretary Brendan Barber argued that the need for equality and diversity-offering fair chances...
Read moreFawcett Society conducting research on lads mags...
10/02/2009
The Fawcett society is conducting some research to gather views on the display of lads’ mags...
Read moreMore families depend on women's incomes...
08/02/2009
A recent Trade Unions Congress (TUC) report has shown that more households depend on women's wages than in previous downturns ...
Read moreWhy the recession is the perfect time for businesses to recruit new female talent
05/02/2009
The current economic climate gives businesses where women are currently under-represented, the perfect opportunity to address this issue and achieve their specific diversity goals...
Read moreEmployers need to be creative about recruiting and retaining talent.
02/02/2009
Without any doubt, the recession presents an ideal opportunity for revolutionary businesses to recruit new talent...
Read morePitch Yourself and Flaunt What You've Got!
Smart Opportunities for Women has launched two FREE innovative workshops for women who want to stand out from the crowd, get hired and manage their careers effectively...
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