Ever since Tony Abbott, leader of the Opposition, announced his plan last weekend to consider an extension of the childcare rebate to include in-home carers – or nannies – there’s been a flurry of activity, criticism, misinformation and debate from politicians, journos and the general public. Perhaps it’s time we all took a deep breath and considered the reality of his proposition. Read More

Women around the world today will be celebrating at morning teas and lunches to mark the occasion of the 101^st International Women’s Day.  That’s a good thing, right?  Well that depends.  If the celebration is to recognise the contribution of women, it’s a good thing. If you want to improve the status quo for women, and mark real change and progress towards gender balance in your workplace, and community, I would argue that a once-a-year celebration does more harm than good, it creates a perception that people care about change without actually doing much. Read More

Q: I was also hoping you might advise how best to approach what is a bad situation - how do you suggest parents proceed when it comes time to return to work and put their child/ren in care?  I realise there's no magic bullet but some good advice would help balance the depressing reality!  Thanks, Karen Read More

This article by Nellie Akalp tells us what we already know about women entrepreurs: they are thriving in the new economy and this is why: Read More

“It seems that "having it all" - or, if you prefer, "doing it all" - is no longer a question of "can she?" or "can't she?". It is a fact of life”, says Rachel Hills in her weekend article in Sunday Life on The Superwoman Myth.  Hot on the heels of Sarah-Jessica Parker’s new movie I Don’t Know How She Does It, Rachel allowed me to weigh in on the debate: do women want it all? My response?  Read More

This article by Amanda Woodard in Knowledge@Australian School of Business outlines a number of reasons why it's high time we made childcare tax deductible in Australia.  My opinions were sought, along with leading Australian businesswomen including:  Read More

I remember my excitement during my pregnancy when I discovered I was having a son (and amazement, quite frankly, being from a family of 4 daughters and no sons!!!) My thinking was that with a son, my dear husband would be more likely to spend time with our new family member... and it seems there's now research to back up my hunch! Read More

Thank you to Frances and Kylie at The 100 Percent Project for inviting me to their Sydney research launch on Friday of Men At Work: What they want and why it matters for women.  The key take aways for me are that men largely want what most women want too, when it comes to workplace culture and flexibility.  And that women are paying a price for the inability of men to get it. Read More

Almost 3 out of 4 women working in the manufacturing industry have never been promoted or given a higher paying role, while more than 60 per cent of female workers had never been offered any workplace training, according to a survey report released this week by AMWU titled Breaking the Perspex Ceiling. Read More

Since the introduction of the Fair Work Act and the right to request flexibility, we've seen a positive lift in the number of employers taking flexible work options seriously.  So much so that it seemed like a whole new era had been ushered... until this multi-million dollar claim by a Telstra worker has placed a serious question mark over the future of work from home arrangements.  Seems Telstra will be made to pay legal and medical costs in a multi-million dollar ruling by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as a result of... wait for it... Ms Hargreaves slipping down the stairs in her own home while going to get cough medicine from the fridge in her sock-clad feet.  Read More