How to get ahead at the Big Nasty

Today, a leading group for women in the outdoor industry announced a plan to create an advocacy group to help women in traditionally male dominated outdoor industry with gender discrimination, equal pay, employment law and other critical issues affecting a growing segment in the outdoor industry workforce.

The Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition (OIWC) said in a release from their website that they intend to research and apprise businesses on these critical issues affecting women in areas such as:

• Equal pay for equal work
• Under-representation of women at higher-level and higher-paying jobs
• Sexual harassment
• The need for workplaces to provide support and flexibility so working mothers and fathers can stay in the workforce (and be supported) after having children
• Communication / leadership styles of men and women

Their idea is to increase the standing of women in this industrial segment where they have been routinely under-represented, particularly at higher income and prestige positions. Big nasty actually had someone from OIWC speak to a sold-out (no cost) presentation that made women there think that they deserved much better.

For those interested in learning more, please click the following link http://www.oiwc.org/?page=AdvocacyStrategies and learn how your rights can be exercised to your advantage. Some companies, although it remains to be seen if Big Nasty is one of them yet, are learning that all employees, including women have a vital contribution besides giving birth to future customers.

OIWC is a top-notch organization and they need the support of people who want to have a level playing field between the sexes. I wish them well in their endeavors.