Van mankracht naar menskracht: 40 jaar genderdiversiteit op de werkvloer

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the progress of women in the labor market and the workplace since the founding of Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken, about forty years ago. The central question is whether – now that women have more socio-economic resources, due to their higher education and working hours – this also means that they are more visible in the workplace or whether ‘doing gender’ processes are still active. Based on numerous statistics and previous research, a mixed picture appears. There has been remarkably little change in horizontal segregation in the Netherlands. Women choose women’s professions and men choose men’s professions. Vertical segregation shows that women enter management positions more, even though change is slow. Since women have been working more, work and private life have become intertwined, implying more ‘doing gender’ in the workplace. Despite a series of policy measures, ranging from financing arrangements for childcare, a quota for women on the Supervisory Board of companies listed on the stock exchange, to paid paternity leave, the government does not offer a clear compass on how to actually tackle gender differences in the labor market and in organizations. We conclude with a research agenda and policy recommendations.