The Economist � July 23rd 2005

Women account for almost half the workforce in the western countries, evidence reflecting that ratio is shown at the lower ranks of many big companies. Whereas, at the top of the corporate ladder of many of these big companies it is a different story. The ratio of men to women in the executive suite is ten to one; a ratio which has changed very little since the term �the glass ceiling� was coined two decades ago to describe the barrier, where women were given the path way to see the top of the corporate ladder, but seems to stop them from reaching it.

To help women reach the higher levels, some hard-nosed bastions such as, ABB, BP and General Electric have renewed their efforts to re-ensure that women are given their chance to reach their goals. But this is not done out of any sense of corporate social responsibility, but because the organisations believe that it is good for their profits.

A few firms think that women have a unique contribution to make in running modern firms. They think that women have certain qualities that are often done better by women then men such as, team-building and communications, for example, an advantage in a corporate world that is today increasingly characterised more by informal networks than by ordered cohorts.

One of the reasons why there is a shortage of women at the top is because women have children, many seek to take more time off work in mid-career then men. A study of American graduate managers found that women returning after a break of three years or more lost on average 37% of there earning power.

If companies such as ABB, BP and General Electric want to bring more women to the top then they should look at the point where women want to return back to work. There are many things which companies can do to help bring women at least back to the level they were at when they left, which are: -

• Keep in contact with women who leave for a while.
• Assign them part-time project while they are off he payroll.
• Companies should also offer retraining women to help bring women back to the level they were at when they left.

At the same time women that are dedicated to stay on the career ladder should also keep in touch with their previous employer and keep up-to-date with the skills needed to make a smooth re-entry.

To help keep women on the career ladder once they have re-entered, companies can do a number of things such as: -

• Executive women who are employees in the workplace and carers at home might be granted allowances for special circumstances due to women with dependants at home need to pay others to take over while they are at work.
• More flexible working hours would be more helpful.
• Women should be given flexible hours to work as many women are happy to work at home after they have put their children to sleep.
• As well as taking the work home, women should be aloud to leave the office early to collect their children from school in the late afternoon.

When speaking of flexible arrangements or special allowances it is unfair that it is only given to women as some men who also shoulder the burdens of being the primary carer at home.

You have the right:

• to work in places whare all the risks to your health and safety are properly controlled.
• to stop working and leave the area if you think you are in danger.
• to inform your employer about  health and safety issues or concerns.
• to contact HSE or your local authority if you still have health and safety concerns and not get into trouble.
• to join a trade union and be a safety representative.
• to paid time off work for training if you are a safety representative.
• to a rest break of at least 20 minutes if you work more than six hours at a stretch and to an annual period of paid leave.

You must:

• take care of your own health and safety and that of people  who may be affected by what you do(or do not do)
• co-operate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with of misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare

Your employer must tell you:

• about risks to your health and safety from current or proposed working practices.
• about things or changes that may harm or affect your health and safety.
• how to do your job safely
• what is done to protect your health and safety
• how to get first aid treatment
• what to do in an emergency

Your employer must provide, free of charge:

• training to do your job safely
• protection for you at work when necessary (such as clothing, shoes or boots, eye and ear protection, gloves, masks etc)
• health checks if there is danger of ill health because of your work.
• regular health checks if you work nights and a check before you start

(note: if you are self employed you are responsible for your own first aid arrangements, training, protective equipment and health checks, and for organising your own working time)

Your employer must provide you with the following information:

• Health and safety law
• Their health and safety policy statement
• An up to date Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) certificate visable in your place of work

What to do if you are concerned about your health and safety:

• phone HSE infoline 08701 545500 for advice or to complain, or the TUC's know your rights line on 0870 600 4882
• if you would like to spek to someone in a language more suitable to you please call 08701 545500 and tell the operator which language
• if you have lost your job because of a health and safety matter you may be able to complain to and Employment Tribunal.  Ask your trade union or local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice