Back to the future for women in the workplace?

IRELAND had met and exceeded EU targets for the employment rate of women by the end of 2007.

Young female graduates performed better academically and were more likely to be employed than their male counterparts.

Firms topped up statutory maternity pay, companies offered flexible working arrangements to women.

High childcare costs were manageable because both parents were earning good wages.

During the mighty Celtic Tiger’s reign, spectacular advances were made for women across all sections of Irish society.

Almost 40 years after smuggling condoms across the border, women finally had it all.

Or so it seemed.

With the mighty Tiger’s roar well and truly silenced, it now looks as though every inch gained – whether perceived or real – during those times is under threat, with the fall-out for women proving particularly harsh.

Government policy continues to slash and burn in ways that will directly impact on women. The economy is forcing women out of work and back to the home, and important equality measures are being long-fingered because the money is not there to support them.

But was there ever really equality in the first place, or, like the housing bubble, was it simply a fleeting blip brought about by an inflated labour market relying heavily on women?

Professor of sociology and social policy at the University of Limerick Pat O’Connor describes a pattern of continuity in the male- dominated nature of academic, managerial and governance structures. Despite dramatic changes in the overall student and faculty profile, not much has changed at the higher level, and, she says, more than having it all, women carried it all.

Prof O’Connor warns of the dangers of a regressive society.

“The danger that we will go back to the mind-set of the 1980s where if there was a job going, then it was the man’s job. That is always a threat,” she says.

“Never underestimate the forces of patriarchy. It is easy to see how this could creep back.

“Government policy is totally unconcerned with equality and therefore it is imperative that women remain vigilant at all times,” she says.

Indeed, already less than 40% of university teachers and fewer than one in five professors are women.

And, on average, across the spectrum, women are paid 17% less than men doing the same work.

Last month’s CSO figures tell us the employment rate for women in Ireland is more than 60%, exceeding the EU target.

But according to last month’s report to the EU by Ursula Barry, head of women’s studies and senior lecturer in the school of social justice at University College Dublin, this had already slipped back to 59% by the end of last year.

And, say the researchers, as women are employed in flexible and part-time work more so than men, this fall-off is likely to continue to rise steadily.

Patricia Kennedy, senior lecturer in social policy at UCD, believes women in the public service are particularly vulnerable.

“Some commentators suggest that as women’s labour is cheaper, they will remain in the workforce. However, if you look at the public sector which employs women as teachers, nurses, social workers, it has been hit by recent cutbacks and there is an embargo in many sectors. Also women as childcare workers are more likely to lose their jobs,” she said.

Another area of particular concern is the service sector – women who work as cleaners, in shops and in restaurants, says Ms Kennedy.

Indeed, Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council says they are already witnessing the expert’s predications.

“Women’s hours are being reduced... and since Christmas the picture has changed a lot, especially with [the] retail service sector.

“We are increasingly talking to worried women who are under pressure,” said Ms O’Connor.

“Issues are very much around the household budget and women in particular are seeking support around areas of indebtedness, as it is they who usually manage the day-to-day finances in the home.”

Ms O’Connor also stressed that the economic downturn has put the spotlight on the need to change a social welfare system that is still based on a male breadwinner model and enforces women’s economic dependency.

The consensus among the leading academics that things are about to get worse for women in work is a real cause for concern.

Professor Eileen Drew, a senior specialist in gender equality at Trinity College Dublin, agrees with her peers, but feels there may well be another knock-on effect from the new economic reality.

Heavy job losses in construction and manufacturing have mainly affected men. So, according to Prof Drew, it is now the case in many households that women are the sole, or at least main, breadwinner.

“As men fall under the axe, the traditional breadwinning role is being passed over to women and it is her income which is being relied upon,” said Prof Drew.

This may lead to role reversal where the man is staying at home, perhaps minding the children and the women are out to work.

It is not a bad thing, she says, but an unfortunate way for the shift to have to occur.

So, while it remains to be seen whether women will find new roles in the new economic reality – or revert to more traditional ones – it is becoming apparent that the have-it-all mantra no longer applies, if it ever existed at all.