DH is trying to argue that institutionalised discrimination against women in the workplace does not exist - eh?????

[Pruuni]

Even though I am arguing examples from nearly all my female friends.
Who is right?

Surely those who "self-select" themselves out of the workplace do so because the workplace is not geared towards their needs? And er, anyone who has any caring responsibilities is more likely to be that self-selecting person? And mostly that person is female? And surely the modus operandi of a whole economic system systematically not meeting the needs of a significant group of the population, can be described as "institutional"?

No?

Agree. And there was a survey recently that demonstrated that for men, having children actually improves their career prospects (seen as stable etc).

You are right, is he mad?

Evem the govt agrees, please brandish that one at him

Or tell him to go and dress up like in Tootsie (saw it last we, great film, had forotten how good) and THEN tell you it doesn't exist.

Yes I agree that there is discrimination.

But I have seen so many of my colleagues (a) go part-time and not push for promotion or (b) leave entirely.

The point I was trying to make is in the context of getting absolutely right to the top. To do that you have to be driven.

In a commercial environment, the workplace is not about the employee's needs. People do want to try to treat their employees fairly and employers that do so tend to be more successful (although the statistics behind that survey are open to question). But ultimately it is all about money. Or shareholder value if that is any different.