by Solange Lopes | Mar 19, 2014 | Career
elev8.com
Many working mothers in Big Corporate have to make different, and drastic decisions, especially when it comes to work. What with the cost and scarcity of childcare, to simply the kids’ schedules being different and tighter than everybody else (even with after-school care, one still has to be able to pick up their kids by 5 or 5:30pm, and that’s when you can even afford after-school care. If not, you have to figure out a way to pick them up by 2pm in my neck of the woods, talk about arranging fora drastically different schedule).
As a result, many working mothers and corporate sisters do have to re-arrange their work schedule accordingly, most times having to request to come in early and leave later. While working with other corporate sisters who either are not parents or have the necessary support to put in the extra hours, as well as with males who also benefit from the support of their respective spouses to put in the extra time, these working moms often face the reality of the perception of “working less.”
“Although I come in earlier than everyone else, the mere fact that I have to leave earlier makes it seem that I don’t put the same amount of work in”, complains A. “Do I have to give up all career aspirations just because of I don’t conform to the regular core hours”, retorts C.
Despite all the advances in women’s empowerment in Big Corporate, it still seems like much has to be done to lessen, or even eliminate, this perception that working a different schedule means that you’re working less.
Have you experienced this at work?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 18, 2014 | Career
Ponte pleated fit and flare dress – $109.99 – banana republic.com
For our lunch break today, we are so feeling the fit-and-flare trend, not just because it is calling Spring by name, but also because it is so flattering on most body shapes. For our pick today, we are taking advantage of the Spring sale at Banana Republic, with this ponte pleated fit-and-flare dress.
I love the teal blue color, which is a nice alternative to your basic black or brown, but is still conservative enough. And the short cap-sleeves make this dress a classic, yet flirty option for both work and play.
It’s on sale for $109.99 at Banana, down from $130.
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 18, 2014 | Career
I too am Harvard – fabmagazineonline.com
When I heard of the “I too am Harvard” campaign, a photo campaign highlighting the faces and voices of Black students at Harvard, and highlighting the issues affecting Black students at Harvard, as a Black woman, an ex-Black student, and a Black woman in a predominantly White corporate world, I understood…I understood so well what these students mean, how important the sense of belonging is on a campus, in an institution of higher learning, and later on, in a professional setting where your mere appearance makes you stand out in a not-so-positive way.
I command the Harvard students who started this movement at Harvard, not only because they inspired other Ivy League schools to do the same and call attention to the widespread discrimination in higher institutions of learning. But I also command them for inspiring us all to claim our places in all the settings in which we are called to shine.
I command them to inspire me to get up and also recognize that despite the obstacles facing minorities in the corporate world, “I too am Corporate”. So today, as you prepare to make your presentation at work as a minority, or as you face challenges in your own corporate setting, or as you may just be doubting your brilliance and capabilities, please be reminded that like these brave, courageous, brilliant students: “You too are Corporate”!
Check out the promo video of “I too am Harvard”:
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 17, 2014 | Career |
Issa Wrap Dress – theoutnet.com
For our lunch break today, we are definitely in Spring mode with this Issa wrap-effect dress from The Outnet. The site has been having a wonderful sale, and although this dress may be a bit of a splurge with a price tag of $240, remember that is has been discounted down from $600!
I personally love the African-inspired graphic, and the bright and lively colors of the dress. These are perfectly completed with the traditional and flattering wrap effect, and make for a perfect work and play alternative. Pair it with a darker jacket for a more conservative office, or flaunt it just because you can, the choice is yours…
Like this dress? Please send us your suggestions at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 17, 2014 | Career
One of the major complaints that I hear from many a corporate sister is that unfortunately commitment is very often measured in terms of “face time” as opposed to real “work time” in the corporate game. “My manager expected me to leave after him every day, which meant staying at work until 9pm every single night”, Z. confided. “I always get the “look” from everyone around when I leave on time to pick up my daughter from school”, S. admits. “Yet not only is my work done, but I’m actually ahead of schedule most of the time.”
What it seems to many, and rightfully so, is that in many an organization, management values face time more than…actual work time. “If you are here before the boss gets here, and after he leaves, you’re golden”, A. says. What happens then to the working mothers, those who are still trying to complete their degree, and also happen o be outstanding, innovative and faithful employees? Do they just fall through the cracks of a sometimes faulty management that relies more on appearance than actual performance? Apparently so…
When Yahoo’s executive Marissa Mayer made the controversial decision to let go of the company’s work at home policy, it stirred an impressive debate about the myth of office face time. Is it just implying, in a categorically dismissive way, that we only work when we’re in the office? And if so, what is the benefit of loading employees with all types of remote connectivity devices that are supposed to make it easier for them to be productive outside of the office?
According to a 2013 CNN Opinion column, employees who have control over where and when they work are actually more productive. Additionally, virtual interactions also have the benefit of making cultural and gender differences “virtually” disappear, which in turn facilitates and increases productive communication, as opposed to the proverbial office “water cooler” conversations that tend to bring together people who think (and happen to look) alike. And from my own experience in Corporate, most times, it is easier for male employees with supportive partners at home to put in extra hours at home, even if the time is no exactly as productive as it should be, than for a working mother whose partner is also employed (or not) to burn the corporate candle at both ends. Hence the increasing working moms’ corporate brain drain….
If organizations and their management really looked at what motivates employees, increases productivity and fosters a healthy and respectful sense of diversity, they would also work on ridding themselves of the elusive face time myth…In the Corporate world, it is definitely not a case of “absence making the heart (or the company’s bottom line) grow fonder…
Are you buying into the “face time” myth of productivity?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 16, 2014 | Career
News – greenwhichroundup.blogspot.com
Happy Sunday! This week has been a long one, what with the time change and all on the East Coast…But we’re alive and back, and ready to tell you what we’ve been reading and what has inspired us this week in the media:
- On the heals of Sheryl Sandberg’s new #banbossy campaign, Black Enterprise’s Janell Hazelwood retorts: “I’m bossy, and there is nothing wrong with that“; while the magazine is also tipping the millenials on how to determine their personal brand and follow it;
- For all the music aficionados out there, Quartz reveals to us its complete guide to listening to music at work;
- Refinery 29 is already in spring mode, and offers a great choice of flats to welcome Spring;
- The Daily Muse has 5 crazy career changes that will inspire you not to settle;
- For all the gourmets and world travelers out there, TechCrunch tips you off on the new “travel in a box” package offered by Try The World company; for $45 a world, receive a sample of everyone of your favorite destinations, from Paris to Tokyo;
- Tired of stick-thin, unrealistic models everywhere? Well, there’s a new company out there, Betabrand, who is using PhDs as models, talk about combining brains and beauty;
- Last but not least, our own The Corporate Sister shares a fashionably useful app for all those wondering what to wear to work tomorrow.
Happy reading, and happy Sunday (for whatever is left of it…)
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 13, 2014 | Career
Seamed-Fit-Flare-Dress – NYandcompany.com
For our lunch break today, we are still on the same Spring wave length with this seamed fit and flare dress in sensational pink from NY&Co. Yes, you read right, sensational pink…at work! With the arrival of Spring, colors are starting to make a comeback, and even in the most conservative of environments, color can be a most welcome addition.
I would probably add a black or navy sweater on top to keep it conservative enough for meetings. And as a bonus, it’s on sale at New York and Company for $45.46. Can’t go wrong with that…
Pssst! NY&Co is having a 60% sale on dresses, and 30% off everything else (promo code 2700)…and yes, you heard it from us…
