More and more women are breaking through the 'glass ceiling', and recent legislation has made it easier to balance work and family life. Unfortunately women still face difficulties in the work place. Women are still more likely to be paid less than their male counterparts, despite ever increasing academic achievement. It is therefore important to ask the right questions when looking for a job. Equal pay is an important issue for all students, not just women, and an employer who values female employees is likely to be a good employer in other respects. Good questions to ask might include: What are the hours like? Does the company offer opportunities for flexible working? What are my prospects for promotion? What is the current position of women in the company? Can this employer demonstrate they provide equal pay?

If women feel that they are not receiving equal pay they can look at the Government Equalities Office website for further advice. Discussion with a careers adviser can help you to explore options, expand horizons, and plan your future.

Handling Discrimination

This site is targeted primarily at graduate jobseekers, but useful to anybody interested in employment or diversity, whether as someone directly affected by the issues it addresses or in a professional capacity. There are sections covering: Disability, ethnic minorities, gender, mature students, offenders, political and ethical issues; refugees and asylum seekers; sexuality and sexual orientation; social and class issues; transsexual and transgender issues. Each contains information on the law (including recent and imminent changes to legislation), marketing yourself and finding positive employers. Case studies, sample CVs and lists of resources are also included. The new edition is accessible online on the Graduate Prospects site.

Useful Links

• Enterprising Women a new organisation to assist women entrepreneurs.
• The Fawcett Society works towards change for women in public and private life. The site contains lots of info on things such as employment and the work-life balance.
• Graduate Women
• Partnership for Women and Families promoting fairness in the workplace, specifically for women.
• WEETU (Women's Employment Enterprise and Training Unit) Norwich-based organisation that works to help women take control of their economic lives. Includes business start-up courses and work-related certificates.
• Where Women Want to Work is a free online service for women to research and compare organisations. It can helps you find out about perspective employers and what organisations are doing to advance women.
• Working Families as the title suggests, advice for parents that work, including employment rights and information about childcare and flexible working.