Women in society have to play different roles, and the role at the workplace is one of them. As women are naturally more family-oriented and need to spend more time with kids in their early years, their career focus gets divided.
Accommodating the needs of women facing this dilemma is key in retaining and promoting female employees. When maternity leave and flexible working hours are provided by firms, women who feel more supported are likely to stay with a company, grow in their positions and be strong contributors to the organization.
«Women in the stockbroking industry are remunerated fairly»
This is a win-win: the company benefits by retaining quality talent and experience in the company, and women gain positions where they are better able to manage their time and achieve a balance between home and work demands.
For example, women in the stockbroking industry are remunerated fairly (ie. no disparity in pay between males and females) and even provided perks. For example, I was covered under pregnancy insurance that my employer bought for all female staff, to help support their family decisions. I claimed S$4,000 cash reimbursement from this insurance plan when I had my first child.
How about the advantages of being a woman?
Perceptions play a strong part. For example, men are seen as having the right character traits for trading, be it aggression, risk tolerance, or decisiveness.
«Balancing family and career is becoming less challenging these days»
On the other hand, some research has suggested that portfolios managed by women perform better, perhaps because we are seen as being less impulsive and more focused on the long-term.
Do you think women face fewer challenges of balancing family and career than in the past?
It is becoming less challenging due to the support of the government and corporations. Singapore has over the years implemented pro-family tax reliefs and rebates in a bid to encourage parenthood and minimize the barriers for women re-entering the workforce after childbirth.
Some companies correlate maternity leave as additional costs to the company, what’s your view?
Many companies in Singapore have a progressive policy toward retaining women. The general perception is changing towards maternity costs and supporting female employees through different stages in lives.
«The perception around family and well-being has evolved significantly»
Today maternity leave is viewed more as a benefit to retain female talent, rather than a cost. Firms understand the importance of supporting women through her motherhood stage, such that she can return to work. The perception around family and well-being has evolved significantly in recent times.
Margaret Yang joined CMC Markets in 2016 and is a market analyst. She has traded equities, futures, options, exchange-traded funds and fixed income for many years, across both regional and global markets. Her exposure to fund management – specializing in hedging – provides the business with knowledge of risk management, and fresh insight into markets in and beyond south-east Asia. Fluent in English and Chinese, Margaret’s analysis of the markets is shared with media partners across Singapore and the wider region. She also hosts large-scale educational events, alongside more intimate seminars in CMC Market's Singapore office.
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