• 73% of all mothers with children under age 18 work
• 55% of working women are married
• 62% of working women earn at least half of their family’s income

Although women have been a large part of the workforce for many years now, they continue to make less money than men (76.6% of what men earn, on average) and you’re still likely to find most women working in jobs that have been historically designated for women (and often have lower wages). What does this mean? The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation notes that over her career, a woman will lose on average $523,000 as compared to her male colleagues (101 Facts on the Status of Workingwomen, October 2007).

Women, then, are more than half of the modern labor force in America, yet often end up holding the short end of the rope. Not that there aren’t exceptions, of course: women have been fighting for improved economic opportunities and social equality for more than a century, and they’ve come a long way, as Fortune magazine noted in its 50 Most Powerful Women 2007 report.

Not only do women constitute a huge segment of the workforce, but they also hold much of America’s buying power: author Fara Warner notes that women manage 80 % of all purchasing decisions and control $7 trillion of purchasing power. When it comes to women as a valuable workforce asset, how does your company measure up? Are women valued for their contributions? It might be time to reevaluate and see where women truly stand in your corporation. 

According to the 2008 Working America Ask a Working Woman Survey (an AFL-CIO affiliate), women today find themselves short on both time and money. 

• Income is a big issue for women; so much so that they would work a second (or third) job if they had more time.
• However, as it stands, women have little time for just themselves.
• Above all, women want a raise.
• While most women receive benefits (such as sick days), they often end up using those benefits for other people, such as to care for sick children, parents, or other family members.

Time. Money. Respect and good working conditions. A better work-life balance. While these needs and desires may not be unique to women workers, they certainly top the list. So ask yourself: does your company offer what women employees need and want?