Status of Women in the WorkplaceCO-SPONSORED WITH THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
| Women caring about the work-related issues of other women was the take-away message for the more than 60 women who attended at a workplace symposium co-sponsored by Chicago Foundation for Women and the Anti-Defamation League March 3, 2008 at the offices of law firm McDermott Will & Emery. Melissa Josephs (above, left) of Women Employed, a grantee, spoke about the need to pass a paid sick days bill for Illinois workers. Andrea Kramer (third from right), a partner at McDermott, pointed out that many working professional women rely on “low-wage workers in order to make [their lives] possible” and that those workers, many who are women, need minimum work standards “because it’s the right thing to do.” Doris Moy (second from right), of the Illinois Department of Labor, addressed pay equity and the 2004 Equal Pay Act’s impact on women. More information on our speakers is below.
Others pictured are: Gail Ludewig (second from left), Chicago Foundation for Women board member, Daniel Elbaum of the Anti-Defamation League and Mary F. Morten (right), Chicago Foundation for Women’s interim executive director. |
This breakfast symposium, co-sponsored by the Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League, discussed workplace issues for women such as work/life balance, pay disparities, equal opportunity and all the other issues that follow us to work.
Speakers:
Doris Moy - Manager, Equal Opportunity Workforce Division, Illinois Department of Labor. Ms. Moy oversees the administration and enforcement of five of the agency’s 28 labor laws including the Illinois Equal Pay Act, Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), Displaced Homemakers Assistance Act, Private Employment Agency Act and Nurse Agency Licensing Act.
Melissa Josephs - Director of Equal Epportunity Policy at Women Employed, a Chicago Foundation for Women grantee. Ms. Josephs conducts research, develops recommendations, directs advocacy campaigns and monitors implementation of policies on a range of employment issues such as paid leave, sexual harassment, fair wages and enforcement of equal opportunity laws and affirmative action policies and practices. She also conducts federal- and state-level lobbying on workplace issues. Josephs directs Women Employed's Job Problems Counseling Service which advises women regarding unfair and illegal workplace issues and currently leads a growing statewide coalition whose goal is to pass paid leave legislation in Illinois.
Carol M. Sladek - Principal, Talent and Organization, Work-Life Consulting at Hewitt Associates. Ms. Sladek specializes in work/life and time-off strategy, issues and developments. She works with clients around the world helping them to attract, motivate and retain employees through strategic design of time/work/life solutions. Sladek’s recent publications include "Work/Life: It’s All About Time,” “Developing a Work/Life Strategy,” “A Guide to Offering Work/Life Benefits” and “Integrating Work and Family Needs Into a Flexible Benefits Plan.”
Moderated by Andrea Kramer, a partner at McDermott Will & Emery.
This program was graciously hosted by McDermott Will & Emery’s Women’s Leadership Group & WLMA: Women's Leadership & Mentoring Alliance.
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