Ozarks Alliance Working Women’s Survey

Intention:          

To open a dialogue on issues concerning women in the Ozarks.

Focus:   

Working Women in the Ozarks

 Objectives:      

• To compare the perception of the Ozarks workplace versus elsewhere

• To identify the perception of gender issues in the Ozarks work place

• To allow women to share events relating to her career path

 Questions:

1. What are the career opportunities for women in the Ozarks?

2. With respect to employment in the Ozarks, what are the potentials for employers and for self employment?

3. Are you at the level in your career that you desire?  If not what is stopping you?

4. How well do you feel compensated for what you do?

5. How well do you feel valued for what you do?

6. What is the greatest challenge to the balance of career and family in your life?

7. What resources are available for you to draw on?

8. What resources (available or not yet available) would be most useful in career advancement?

Alliance Working Women’s Survey Results Summary

 Demographics of the survey participants: 

• Over 100 women. 

• Equal numbers in each 10-year age range from 20 to age 60. 

• All had attained a high school diploma or GED and many had college or graduate degrees. 

• The majority of participants were married and one-third needed dependent care (whether for dependent children or adults). 

• The majority of respondents were in the $25,000 - $60,000 annual income range.

Goals of the survey: 

To learn working women’s:

ü       Perceptions of Ozarks workplace

ü       Perception of gender issues

ü       Events impacting career paths

What Were the Results?

            3 Areas of Interest:

ü       Career Opportunities / Barriers & Challenges

ü       Compensation / Perceived Value

ü       Available Resources

Career Opportunities

• Unlimited

• Many not well paid

• Great self-employment climate

Demographic information: 

Nationally:  The wage gap has narrowed by only a half a penny a year for the past 40 years.  The gap between median earnings of full-time, year-round workers widened last year, with women’s earnings currently 76% of men’s, down from 77% in 2004.  At this rate, it will take another 40 years for women to reach wage parity with men, and over the course of a working lifetime, the average women loses approximately $523,000 due to the wage gap. 

 Locally in the Ozarks:  According to the 2004 census data:

            Professional and related occupations:  Avg Wage Male: $62,259   Female: $31,800

This includes computer and mathematics, architecture and engineering, community and social services, Legal field, education, arts, entertainment, media and healthcare practitioner & technical occupations.

            Service Occupations:  Avg Wage Male: $24,147 Female: $16,076

This includes fire fighters, law enforcement, food preparation and serving, building and maintenance and healthcare support occupations.

Barriers to Career Advancement

• Family/personal demands

•  Education

• Experience

• Skill development

• Paying dues

Balance Challenges

• Time management

• Dependent care options

• Unrealistic expectations

Compensation

• Lower than men’s

• Depends on management, not size of company

•  Uncomfortable asking or negotiating

Perceived Value

• Male-female differences

• Daughters open men’s eyes

• Women don’t value each other

Available Supportive Resources

• Mom

• Women Mentors

• Friends & neighbors

• Networking groups

• Loans & reimbursement

• Quality affordable childcare

• Business & professional skills training

 Ozarks Alliance Next Steps

Three areas of focus:

1. Business & Professional Skills Training (giving women educational workshops to attend such as: The Art of Negotiation, How to Say NO Gracefully, How to Attain a Positive Work/Life Balance)

2. Mentoring (matching women who’ve “been there” with women who need guidance)

3. Dependent Care Solutions (what are my options for childcare or aging parents in the Ozarks)