Labour or love (of family): A quest for balance - Work

Mindset shift over women's roles needed

Although the gender wage gap has dropped from 20 per cent a decade ago, it remains at 11.8 per cent, revealed Second Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo earlier this month.The Sunday Times looks into the issues women face in three areas today - at work, at home, and in politics.

Entrepreneur Elaine Kim with her husband John, and sons (from far left) Kyan, six, Luke, five, and Nate, one. Dr Kim believes that greater business networking support for women, and flexible work schemes can help women get ahead in their careers.
Entrepreneur Elaine Kim with her husband John, and sons (from far left) Kyan, six, Luke, five, and Nate, one. Dr Kim believes that greater business networking support for women, and flexible work schemes can help women get ahead in their careers. PHOTO: IRINA NILSSON PHOTOGRAPHY
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After three years at a multinational firm, Ms Sophia (not her real name) decided it was time for a job change - only to find herself being consistently offered a lower salary than her male peers who had left the company in the same period.

The 26-year-old, who was receiving the same pay as them by the time they left, recalled: "Promotions were performance-based and quite regular when we started out."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 18, 2018, with the headline Mindset shift over women's roles needed . Subscribe