Blog
Shared Parental Leave
On the 5th of April 2015 new shared parental leave regulations came into force across the UK, which enables parents to share leave over the course of a year following the birth or adoption of a child. Parents can share up to 50 weeks of parental leave, by either taking time off together or separately.
Legislation that allows women and men to share childcare is undoubtedly a positive change. However, while more women are in paid work than ever before, women also continue to do the majority of unpaid caring. 63% of women identified as having the primary responsibility for daily childcare in comparison to only 23% of men.
In order to balance the disproportionate burden of care many women look for part-time work. However, part-time jobs are predominately found in low skilled, low paid roles, with few or no progression opportunities. The part-time pay gap (32% when comparing women’s part-time hourly pay with men’s full-time hourly pay) reflects the financial penalties women experience for working part-time, and currently stands at almost three times that of Scotland’s full-time pay gap. Re-entering the labour market, and career progression after maternity leave were identified as concerns by women in Scotland, with 22% of respondents to a recent study being worried about the impact maternity leave would have on their career.
Shared parental leave has the potential to positively impact on both women’s pay, and progression opportunities after having children. However under previous paternity entitlement 40% of UK fathers chose not to take any paternity leave at all and the take up of additional paternity leave has been extremely low with less than 1% taking advantage of it since it was introduced in 2011. These figures reinforce that it is not only a legislative but also a cultural barrier that must be tackled in order to achieve equality for women. When asked about shared parental leave 30% of men in Scotland thought that it would be good for their partner’s career or career progression, however only 16% thought it would be good for their own career.
There are also a large number of partners who will not be eligible for shared parental leave. This includes individuals whose partner's maternity cover is not enhanced, those disqualified due to length of service with their current employer or who are on temporary contracts. The leave is also very low paid which will impact on the number of partners who will want to take it.
Shared parental leave is undoubtedly a progressive step towards redressing the imbalance of childcare responsibilities. The take-up of it will be crucial in determining what impact it has on women’s equality.
You can find out more about Shared Parental Leave here.
EVENTS: SCOTLAND AND UK WIDE
In this post you will find a selection of up and coming events and programmes relating to gender equality and women's participation in the labour market.
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Close the Gap and CEMVO
Looking To The Future: Race and Equal Pay
Friday 8th May 10.30am to 12.30pm
STUC office in Glasgow
Spaces limited.
Close the Gap and CEMVO are holding a half-day seminar for public authorities to support them in mainstreaming their equalities work on employment under the public sector equality duty. The aim is to provide a specific focus on race and equal pay, as public authorities prepare for publishing equal pay statements on race, including occupational segregation information, in 2017.
The event will provide an opportunity to share some lessons learned with regard to gender, identify some additional issues around ethnicity, and offer some practical solutions for improvement and making progress. This interactive group session will use findings from current research and case studies, and will provide an opportunity for questions and answers.
The seminar will look at:
· Challenges in addressing low disclosure rates
· The current evidence base on BME women’s experience of work
· Lessons learned from work on gender and equal pay
· Practical solutions to common issues on mainstreaming race equality
Lunch will be provided.
Book a place here
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ENGENDER
Gender Matters - Engender Conference 2015
June 4, 2015, 10.30 – 16.00
Scottish Youth Theatre, Glasgow
Join us in Glasgow for our annual conference. As well as hearing about some of the triumphs and challenges in our work for gender equality, this conference will be a chance to shape our priorities for future action. This conference will continue on from the work we have been doing to consult women around Scotland on what changes are needed to improve the lives of women.
It will be a very interactive day where we will be discussing a whole range of issues to do with gender equality and working together to shape Engender's priorities - these will feed in to both our long term work, and into upcoming Holyrood and local authority elections.
Lunch will be provided and a creche will be available - please specify if you will require creche facilities on the booking form.
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EQUATE SCOTLAND
Returning to work webinar
14 May 2015 - 12:00
FREE
Venue: - Your computer!
Host: - Equate Scotland
Returning to work following a career break can be daunting, but with the help of some tools and information you can become more confident about your abilities to take those first steps.
This one hour webinar will get you thinking about how to move forward and will provide you with tips and resources to support you on your way.
The webinar aims to:
Provide a supporting environment by providing tips, resources and stories to normalise the experience of returning to work.
Allow you to consider how your values and strengths can help direct your decisions
Give you some ideas of how to brand and market yourself
- Enable you to feel more confident about what to do next yet.
- This is a career development webinar aimed at women with qualifications in science, engineering or technology, who are looking to return to work following a career break.
Learn to say 'no' effectively
27 May 2015 - 10:00
FREE
Aberdeen City Centre
Host - Equate Scotland
A free one-day course aimed at women who want to be more assertive in their workplace
This one-day course is aimed at women who would like to become more assertive in their workplace. Whether you are already in employment or are actively job-seeking, being assertive is an essential skill to develop your career.
Being more assertive can help improve the quality of your relationships and support you to become more confident and competent.
Find out more about the workshop, or book for this event
Returning to work
10 June 2015 - 10:00
FREE
Glasgow
Host: - Equate Scotland
Get your career back on track after a career break
Returning to work following a career break can be daunting, but with the right tools and information you can get back the confidence in your own abilities to find the position you’re looking for. This workshop aims to enable you to problem-solve issues which are maybe holding you back from attaining your career goals.
The workshop will:
Provide a supportive environment to share experiences with other women about to return to work.
Allow you to reflect on your strengths, where and how you might use them to find a work life balance.
Plan how to brand and market your skills through your networks.
Feel more confident about who you are and what value you can bring to your new role.
Consider the environment and working culture you want to have so that you can integrate your personal life with your career.
Book for this event
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WiRES- Women in Renewable Energy Scotland
WiRES at All Energy 2015
SECC, Glasgow
May 6, 11.00am-12.30pm
WiRES Skills Panel: 11am at Conference Room 3
WiRES is convening a Skills Panel on 6 May, 11.00 – 12.30 at All Energy 2015, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the skills requirements and challenges for the renewable energy industry. Please join us at Conference Room 3 after the Main Plenary session for a discussion with key industry players including EcoConnect, Employer First, the UK Energy Research Centre and the Open University. The session will be chaired by Abbe Brown, WiRES Steering Group Member and Deputy Head of the School of Law at The University of Aberdeen.
WiRES Networking Opportunity: 5pm at stand K29
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WISE - Women in Science and Engineering
A wide range of events across the UK from small workshops through training courses to major conferences. See more information
EVENTS: SCOTLAND AND UK WIDE
In this post you will find a selection of up and coming events and programmes relating to gender equality and women's participation in the labour market.
Close the Gap and CEMVO
Looking To The Future: Race and Equal Pay
Friday 8th May 10.30am to 12.30pm
at STUC office in Glasgow
Close the Gap and CEMVO are holding a half-day seminar for public authorities to support them in mainstreaming their equalities work on employment under the public sector equality duty. The aim is to provide a specific focus on race and equal pay, as public authorities prepare for publishing equal pay statements on race, including occupational segregation information, in 2017.
The event will provide an opportunity to share some lessons learned with regard to gender, identify some additional issues around ethnicity, and offer some practical solutions for improvement and making progress. This interactive group session will use findings from current research and case studies, and will provide an opportunity for questions and answers.
The seminar will look at:
· Challenges in addressing low disclosure rates
· The current evidence base on BME women’s experience of work
· Lessons learned from work on gender and equal pay
· Practical solutions to common issues on mainstreaming race equality
Lunch will be provided.
Book a place here
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ENGENDER
Women and welfare reform
April 29, 2015, 18.00 – 20.00
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Since 2010, £26 billion worth of cuts have been made to benefits, tax credits, pay and pensions. 85% of this has fallen on women’s incomes.
Last year Engender published a joint report on the gender inequalities that explain this and the impacts of welfare reform on women in Scotland. Since then, more reforms have been implemented, with devastating impacts on women and children, and more cuts have been announced. Powers over welfare have also been promised to the Scottish Government, presenting certain opportunities to create a better system for women.
Together with Close the Gap, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Scottish Refugee Council and Scottish Women’s Aid, we are publishing an updated report that sets out these changes, the increasing evidence base and gendered courses for action the Scottish Government could choose to take.
Please join us at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the findings and ways to achieve the changes we want to see for women. We will also hear from women who have experienced welfare reform over the last year.
The event will coincide with Welfare Reform Committee’s Inquiry on Women and Welfare Reform, and will be co-chaired by Michael McMahon (Convenor and Labour MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill) and Claire Adamson (SNP MSP for Central Scotland).
Gender Matters - Engender Conference 2015
June 4, 2015, 10.30 – 17.00
Scottish Youth Theatre, Glasgow
This event is only currently open for bookings from members.
Bookings for non-members will open on April 20, 2015.
If you would like to become a member of Engender, you can sign up here.
Join us in Glasgow for our annual conference. As well as hearing about some of the triumphs and challenges in our work for gender equality, this conference will be a chance to shape our priorities for future action. This conference will continue on from the work we have been doing to consult women around Scotland on what changes are needed to improve the lives of women.
It will be a very interactive day where we will be discussing a whole range of issues to do with gender equality and working together to shape Engender's priorities - these will feed in to both our long term work, and into upcoming Holyrood and local authority elections.
Lunch will be provided and a creche will be available - please specify if you will require creche facilities on the booking form.
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EQUATE SCOTLAND
Sticky Floors and Glass Ceilings
22 April 2015 - 10:00
FREE
IET Teacher Building, Glasgow
Equate Scotland
One day career development course looking at the 'sticky floors' and 'glass ceilings' which can prevent women making the most of their skills, knowledge and abilities. See more:
Who can attend?
Women qualified or working in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
For more information on Equate and events: http://www.equatescotland.org.uk/events#sthash.D8SztpEE.dpuf
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WISE - Women in Science and Engineering
A wide range of events across the UK from small workshops through training courses to major conferences. See more information
Looking to the Future: Race and equal pay - Friday 8 May 2015
10.30am - 12.30pm, Friday 8 May 2015
STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6NG
Close the Gap and CEMVO are holding a half-day seminar for public authorities to support them in mainstreaming their equalities work on employment under the public sector equality duty. The aim is to provide a specific focus on race and equal pay, as public authorities prepare for publishing equal pay statements on race, including occupational segregation information, in 2017.
The event will provide an opportunity to share some lessons learned with regard to gender, identify some additional issues around ethnicity, and offer some practical solutions for improvement and making progress. This interactive group session will use findings from current research and case studies, and will provide an opportunity for questions and answers.
The seminar will look at:
· Challenges in addressing low disclosure rates
· The current evidence base on BME women’s experience of work
· Lessons learned from work on gender and equal pay
· Practical solutions to common issues on mainstreaming race equality
Lunch will be provided.
Book a place here
EVENTS: Scotland and UK wide
In this post you will find a selection of up and coming events and programmes relating to gender equality and women's participation in the labour market.
CLOSE THE GAP
How women's networks and mentoring can address occupational segregation: Learning from WiRES
GLASGOW, Monday 30 March - 13:00-14:30
Close the Gap is hosting a seminar which will present and discuss the findings of the evaluation of its Big Lottery Fund project which focused on developing the Women in Renewable Energy Scotland (WiRES) network.Over the past year, this has included a series of networking events, skills sessions, and a mentoring programme.
The seminar will look at:
- the barriers to women’s participation and progression in the renewable energy sector;
- the achievements of the WiRES programme;
- how women's networks and mentoring can address occupational segregation; and
- what policymakers can do to support networks and mentoring activity.
WiRES - Women in Renewable Energy Scotland
WiRES is a network for women working, or who would like to work, in the renewable energy sector in Scotland. Our aim is to support women's participation in the sector through information, education, and networking opportunities. WiRES is currently hosted by Close the Gap.
Celebrating the achievements of the WiRES network and its members
EDINBURGH, Friday 27 March - 18:00-20:00
WiRES members are invited to celebrate the achievements of the network over the past year. As with previous WiRES networking events, you will also have the opportunity to build your professional network, and meet with other women working in the industry. See more at: www.wirescotland.com/content/events
If you are interested in starting WiRES meet-ups in your own city or region, do get in touch at info@wirescotland.com
_________________________________________________________________________EQUATE SCOTLAND
What employers want with Babcock Rail
4 March 2015 - 17:30
FREE
University of Strathclyde
Interconnect
This is an Interconnect event for female engineering students giving you a fantastic insight into the graduate recruitment process. See more:
Get SET for Business
10 March 2015 - 10:00
FREE
Seminar Room - Equate Scotland
Equate Scotland
Get SET become an entrepreneur. Do you dream of running your own business and being your own boss or have you got an idea for a business, but just need help in seeing your ideas come to fruition? See more
How To
Attract And Keep Female Engineers
16 March 2015 - 09:30
FREE
IET Teacher Building, Glasgow
Equate Scotland
A free half day seminar for employers focusing on recruitment and retention of female engineers. See more:
Sticky Floors and Glass Ceilings
22 April 2015 - 10:00
FREE
IET Teacher Building, Glasgow
Equate Scotland
One day career development course looking at the 'sticky floors' and 'glass ceilings' which can prevent women making the most of their skills, knowledge and abilities. See more:
For more information on Equate and events: http://www.equatescotland.org.uk/events#sthash.D8SztpEE.dpuf
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Equality Updates
Women in Politics
STIRLING, 4th March
Reflections on the referendum and beyond “What difference did the Scottish referendum on independence make to women’s participation in political life in Scotland? What does the future hold? What barriers are there to women’s participation in public civic and political life and how can we overcome them?” See more at: http://enf.org.uk/blog/?page_id=362#sthash.igdRc8E9.dpuf
March Of Women On the eve of International Women’s Day
GLASGOW, 7th March, 2pm
March from Glasgow Women’s Library to Glasgow Green to celebrate the achievements of Scottish women from past and present. This is a public art event and everyone is welcome to join us and take part. See more at: http://enf.org.uk/blog/?page_id=362#sthash.9ID9SH4o.dpuf
The Big Skills Weekend
EDINBURGH, 7th - 8th March
Youth Scotland's annual weekend training event for youth workers, leaders, and volunteers and was formerly known as PPSS. With 17 workshops to choose from, there’s something available for everyone at #BigSkills2015! This year we are also delighted to add to the main programme a set of workshops which are particularly relevant for those working with girls and young women. Cost: Prices range from £35 – £145 See more at: http://enf.org.uk/blog/page_id=362#sthash.igdRc8E9.dpuf
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Scottish Women's Convention International Women’s Day 2015
The SWC International Women’s Day event
Saturday 7th March 2015 in the Scottish Parliament
12.30pm - registration and lunch
If you wish to register your interest in attending this free event please do so either by emailing: info@scottishwomensconvention.org or telephoning 0141 339 4797
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ENGENDER
Gender Matters: 'UN Beijing+20'
April 1, 2015, 18.00 – 20.00
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
It is twenty years since the Beijing Platform for Action, a global framework for women's empowerment, was negotiated at the United Nations. Governments commmitted to a diverse agenda that includes women's poverty, political representation, violence against women, women's rights, women and the economy, the environment and the media.
Please join us at the Scottish Parliament to mark 'Beijing +20' with discussion of Scotland's progress against these international commitments. Our speakers will include Kara Brown from YWCA and Lily Greenan from Scottish Women's Aid, who will be at the summit in New York.
We will also publicly launch Engender's 'Gender Matters' project with a paper mapping Scottish Government action across the 'areas of critical concern' identified by the Beijing Platform for Action.
Many thanks indeed to Christina McKelvie MSP for sponsoring the event.
Tea, coffee and shortbread will be provided.
Women, Faith and Feminism
April 11, 2015, 10.30 – 17.00
Central Glasgow (TBC),
Engender has been bringing women together this year to talk about faith, identity, gender, and feminism. We would like to invite you to join our final discussion event in central Glasgow on April 11th. This will be a chance to hear evidence from women speaking from a range of perspectives on faith and feminism, and to join the discussion yourself.
The day will be in an open space format, meaning participants can shape the agenda and use the event to talk about the issues that are important to them. Women from all over Scotland are welcome to join us at this free event, and we are able to offer support including crèche facilities, travel bursaries and personal assistants as required.
More details will be posted soon and we'll be sending out information on our mailing list so make sure you sign up by filling out the box on the right if you're not already on it.
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WISE - Women in Science and Engineering
A wide range of events across the UK from small workshops through training courses to major conferences. See more information
Career Development Programme for Women in STEM
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