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Is the future of work feminist? According to a panel I moderated at the Forbes Future of Work Summit last week, the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
But what does a “feminist future of work” mean, exactly? According to author and L’Oréal CHRO Stephanie Kramer, it means making sure that we’re talking about fertility, pregnancy and menopause at work and ensuring that workplace benefits are in place to support employees who might be experiencing any one of these health situations. “These topics are not taboos—they’re table stakes,” Kramer said.
Earlier today, I went on Morning Joe to discuss a new Bank of America study showing how 51% of peri- and post-menopausal women feel that menopause has negatively affected their work, yet only 14% of these women say they feel their employer recognizes the need for menopause related benefits (like flexible work arrangements, paid time off, coverage for hormone replacement therapy, and even access to cooling rooms). There’s a disconnect between employers and employees on these issues, and if not addressed, this disconnect could lead to women over the age of 50 feeling pushed out of the workforce. My conclusion after both of these conversations? While not every person may want to talk about health events at work, we all need to do a better job of opening communication around these issues so that people can get the support they need.
Cheers!
Maggie
Featured Forbes Profile: Inside The Crazy $6 Billion Plan To Turn Wind Into Gasoline
Meg Gentle left natural gas company Tellurian in late 2020, intending to take it easier and run her family investment office, Gemstone Investments, for a while. She agreed to put some money behind HIF (which stands for Highly Innovative Fuels, which she now runs). “I started as an investor. Soon it was ‘Meg can you help us’ with this or that.” Her job for the last two years has been planning and permitting and contracting for a $6 billion plant in Matagorda County, Texas that will make 200 million gallons of greener fuels a year — equivalent to taking the emissions of 400,000 cars off the road.
ICYMI: News Of The Week
Aviator Nation founder Paige Mycoskie, who is now worth an estimated $380 million, is unveiling expansion plans for her trendy clothing brand that include new stores and product lines. “Rolling out some new categories I’m passionate about will be the next stage of our growth,” explains Mycoskie, though she hesitates to nail down any specific timeline due to the complexities of producing new types of products with a U.S.-based supply chain.
Forbes released its eighth annual Fintech 50 list this week, our annual list of the most innovative fintech startups. In spite of the rough patch many fintech entrepreneurs are going through with abundant layoffs and shrinking valuations, some standout founders led their companies to impressive innovation and growth in 2022. There are 19 newcomers on this year’s list, including Danielle Cohen-Shohet, the 33-year-old founder and CEO of GlossGenius, and Jacqueline Reses, 53, the cofounder and CEO of Lead Bank.
Lindsey Argalas, chief operating officer at crypto accounting firm TaxBit, has been named the company’s new chief executive. Cofounder and current CEO Austin Woodward will step into the role of Chairman of the Board. Argalas’ appointment marks a milestone for the company as she becomes one of the few female CEOs of major crypto enterprises.
A group of U.S. Representatives—including Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY)—has introduced the American Family Act, legislation that would make the previously expanded and improved monthly child tax credit permanent.
The Checklist
1. Connect with your future self. One of the reasons we (often) don’t save enough money for retirement is that we see our future selves as separate people. But picturing your 2040 or 2050 self can help focus your current mind on long-term financial goals.
2. Put yourself in a time out. If you’re feeling like you need a change at work and are tempted to blow everything up in the name of that change, take a breath and pause. As one executive coach told ForbesWomen contributor Shellye Archambeau, you want to be running towards something, not away.
3. Write a perfect thank-you note. Studies show that only one in four candidates send a thank you after an interview, while 80% of hiring managers value this formality. Best practices include expressing gratitude, reiterating your qualifications, and providing your direct contact information for next steps.
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