ABSTRACT
Consider these opinions from various women: During the 1960s and 1970s, changes took place in Australian social and legal institutions, promising women more of the rights that are accepted as appropriate for citizens of democratic countries. Even though there still remain gaps between promise and reality in many instances, achievements for women in the employment area have been substantial. (Jenni Neary, former Director of Women's Bureau, September 1985, commenting on the end of the Decade) 1 I have always wanted to be a ... manager. I don't know why. Perhaps it was because I have h ad plenty of opportunity to observe managers in action and I suppose I built up a whole range of views on good and bad management until it got to the stage where I thought I would like to have a go myself-put some of the ideas I had picked up into practice. But it is difficult for a woman. Sometimes I wonder whether I am accepted as a manager. I know I can do the job and am good at it. But there is a funny sort of dividing line between m en and w omen in management. Even though there are many more women in management these days, I don't know what w e have achieved by entering management. Many of the old barriers still exist, particularly that acceptance problem. Woman General Manager, aged 52 I have been through it so m any times that I know when it is going to occur again. Men just don't want you in the workforce. Your place is in the home and you musn't intrude on their home-the organisation. They will do everything they can t o get rid of y ouespecially if you are a competent woman. You are to be 'seen and not heard', to 'mind your place' and not to 'disturb the status quo'. Of all the women managers I know I don't know of one who is happy or reaching self-actualisation. They just have a grim battle for survival. Woman Finance Manager, a ged 46 You h ave to push your way up, be you a man or a woman. It is a
24-hour a day, seven day a week commitment.1You have to watch what you say, how you will react, how you will respond, and it is definitely harder for a woman. But maybe it means once again that the ones that do get there are better than the average male. Woman Marketing Manager, aged 33
Now that the Decade is over women must take stock. This is a common practice in retailing-why not in women's careers? Answers are needed to some serious questions. For instance, are women achieving by entering management? Are they progressing up the ladder, or are they being retained in the 'velvet ghettos'-the peripheral staff and service areas of organisations? Are they gaining the necessary experience for more senior roles, or are they merely content to do jobs which give them a great sense of self-satisfaction but not much prestige or status?
