NLIS 6
September 26, 2003
(Executive Council)

 

Recruiting and retaining skilled women is good business

Attracting, retaining and promoting skilled women makes good business sense according to a report which will be launched today at the 22nd annual meeting of Canada�s Federal/Provincial/ Territorial Minister�s Responsible for the Status of Women. The report, entitled Workplaces that Work, highlights the bottom-line reasons why Canada�s employers in high growth sectors should ensure that their workplaces are attractive to women employees.

"In 1999, 70 per cent of employed Canadian women were working part-time or in occupations where wages were low � many have no access to medical, pension and other benefits," said Yvonne Jones, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Women represent only seven per cent of the Canadian workforce in transportation, trades and construction work and only about one-fifth of professionals in natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. As baby-boomers retire, these sectors face serious skills shortages that immigration will not fully address. Recruiting more women, who make up 51 per cent of the population, is one obvious solution.

Women influence 85 per cent of purchasing decisions. Consequently, appealing to female consumers is important. This requires a workplace which includes women so that it truly reflects the marketplace.

Many women are beginning to train in trades and sciences; areas where they have traditionally been under represented. However, there are still many barriers to their employment, including those in the work environment. Workplace attitudes that work for women, which are free from harassment and have family friendly policies, work for everyone. These types of workplaces have also been proven to have higher productivity.

"Stereotypes still exist about women and their abilities or interests," said Minister Jones. "I am pleased to see this publication which will encourage employers to change this status quo."

The business case was developed for use by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to encourage employers and sector organizations in both small businesses and large corporations to initiate changes to workplace culture that will attract and retain skilled women employees. It provides examples of success stories from across the country and tips for how employers can effectively promote change. Workplaces that Work is available at no charge on federal, provincial and territorial Web sites. The report can be found on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Web site in English at //www.gov.nl.ca/exec/wpo/eng/publications/WorkplacesthatWork.pdf and in French at //www.gov.nl.ca/exec/wpo/fr/publications/Desmilieuxdetravail.pdf.

This year�s annual meeting of the Status of Women Ministers was held in Edmonton, co-hosted by Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Status of Women) and Gene Zwozdesky, Alberta�s Minister of Community Development.

Media contact: Kelly Foss, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 729-6225 or cell: (709) 727-1252

2003 09 26                                      1:10 p.m.


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