Feminism is the Merriam-Webster 2017 word of the year! Defined as“ the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes" and “organized activities on behalf of women’s rights and interests,” it saw a 70% spike in online searched in the past year. What a time to be alive! #makeworkworkforyou #thesecondshift
Calling all NY based women with a business idea!! A group of female VC investors are offering to help women entrepreneurs with advice, guidance, and support. Check it out! https://www.femalefounder.org/
On Jan 9th you can sign up for a 1:1 with an investor from a top VC firm to talk shop. Why? Because New York is home to more companies with a female founder than any other city, and our funding numbers look better, too. 17% of NYC Series A rounds in 2016 had a female founder.
The Broadsheet is an amazing newsletter that highlights the most topical issues related to women in a daily email. It’s a must-read for the most up-to-date issues about women in the workplace, politics, and entertainment. Today the lead story is about the nature of sexual harassment in the workforce as it relates to power dynamics and focuses two opinion pieces from Sheryl Sandberg and Sallie Krawcheck. Here’s the gist:
“Both women are advocating for the same solution to the on-going sexual harassment epidemic: get more women in power.That, of course, is much easier said than done. The gender gap at the top of corporate America—just 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female—is the result of a confluence of sociocultural factors (women as primary caretakers, implicit biases against women leaders, lack of paid family leave, absence of role models, etc.) And yet, while it’s unlikely that we’ll solve all of those in the next decade, it is heartening to know that the few women who are at the top are pushing to get more of us up there with them.“
The Second Shift agrees–that’s why we created the company! We are an actionable solution to keep more women in the workplace. Creating the opportunity is our main focus– getting our members job to keep them going during times that they need to step away from the climb. We are happy to work with companies like Microsoft to make the goal of cracking that 5% a reality. Talk is talk– providing jobs for women is an incredibly important way to walk the walk.
The Majority of the Workforce will be Freelancers in Just Ten Years
A New Study by Upwork and the Freelancers Union Provides a Lens into the Future of Work
Last month, a new study on the future of work by Upwork and the Freelancers Union looked at the growing number of freelancers to see how the gig-economy is growing. The study revealed some interesting statistics about the freelance workforce; we took a deep dive into the results:
· 57.3M people freelance.
· Only 10% of freelance workers like the name gig-economy – they prefer freelance economy—(we agree!)
· 63% of freelancers think having several sources of income and multiple clients more secure than one – the average freelancer has 4.5 clients a month.
Here’s the who, what, where, when, why and how of the freelance economy:
Who is the driving force behind this rapid change?
“Almost half of working millennials (47%) freelance.” As a result, the common negative perception of freelance as a primary earnings method shifted, with 67% of people agreeing that it’s a stable form of work.
What is likely to keep the freelance economy going?
“Freelancers are more realistic about artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact than non-freelancers.” As a result, they are more likely to seek the training they need to continue to compete in a technologically changing workplace – “65% of full-time freelancers are updating their skills to ensure that they are marketable as the job market evolves.”
Where are freelancers earning their living?
The majority of the freelance economy isn’t moonlighting; 29% work full-time, 53% work part-time, and only 16% work occasionally for extra income in addition to another traditional job. “Most freelancers started within the last three years,” and freelancers are increasingly choosing to join the freelance economy by choice, which is indicative of a move to towards more creative outlets to earn a living, often not requiring formal education. Freelancers are finding their work through friends and family, professional contacts and social media – personal connections are more powerful then technological ones—(something we hope we are solving!)
When are freelancers working?
“Most freelance weekly: freelancers indicate, on average, having 27 different clients within their last six months of work,” and 52% of freelancers will work for the same clients repeatedly on different projects with most full-time freelancers working 36 hours per week. Among workers who find their projects online, 77% start their projects within a week – 21% start the same day.
Why is freelancing the wave of the future?
“54% of the entire U.S. workforce is not very confident that the work they do today is likely to exist in 20 years,” and both traditional and freelance workers agree. The study goes on to differentiate that freelancers are more aware of how their work is changing due to increased AI and robotics used in the workplace. Ultimately, the data reveals that the changing nature of the freelance workforce makes them more adaptable and is why they are likely to outnumber traditional workers in ten years time. Perhaps more importantly, 77% of workers believe that these same technological improvements are making it easier for them to find freelance work.
How will this impact our economy?
The numbers don’t lie, the freelance economy is good for the U.S.; “freelancers contribute approximately $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually – an increase of almost 30% since last year.” Part of the economic boost comes from freelancer’s preference to purchase their own benefits in the marketplace; 67% agree that “a healthy freelance economy boosts America’s middle class.” A current practice they’re likely to be able to continue because 72% of freelancers are willing to vote across party lines for candidates that support the freelance economy. They’ll be able to have a tangible financial impact on elections as well because 36% earn $75,000 or more – double the percentage that did from 2014. Further to, 66% say they earn more in the freelance economy then they did in a traditional workplace; 75% of them earned more in just their first year, with 37% earning more immediately.
One last interesting fact: “Freelancers skew more male than U.S. workers overall.” Ladies, given all the benefits the freelance economy brings, let’s get out there!
The data proves The Second Shift model and our members know that the findings of the study are true. We are the vanguard of the future of work– so let’s get more women to join us! Refer 5 new members and you will get a surprise thank you from us!
The Majority of the Workforce will be Freelancers in Just Ten Years
A New Study by Upwork and the Freelancers Union Provides a Lens into the Future of Work
Last month, a new study on the future of work by Upwork and the Freelancers Union looked at the growing number of freelancers to see how the gig-economy is growing. The study revealed some interesting statistics about the freelance workforce; we took a deep dive into the results:
· 57.3M people freelance.
· Only 10% of freelance workers like the name gig-economy – they prefer freelance economy—(we agree!)
· 63% of freelancers think having several sources of income and multiple clients more secure than one – the average freelancer has 4.5 clients a month.
Here’s the who, what, where, when, why and how of the freelance economy:
Who is the driving force behind this rapid change?
“Almost half of working millennials (47%) freelance.” As a result, the common negative perception of freelance as a primary earnings method shifted, with 67% of people agreeing that it’s a stable form of work.
What is likely to keep the freelance economy going?
“Freelancers are more realistic about artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact than non-freelancers.” As a result, they are more likely to seek the training they need to continue to compete in a technologically changing workplace – “65% of full-time freelancers are updating their skills to ensure that they are marketable as the job market evolves.”
Where are freelancers earning their living?
The majority of the freelance economy isn’t moonlighting; 29% work full-time, 53% work part-time, and only 16% work occasionally for extra income in addition to another traditional job. “Most freelancers started within the last three years,” and freelancers are increasingly choosing to join the freelance economy by choice, which is indicative of a move to towards more creative outlets to earn a living, often not requiring formal education. Freelancers are finding their work through friends and family, professional contacts and social media – personal connections are more powerful then technological ones—(something we hope we are solving!)
When are freelancers working?
“Most freelance weekly: freelancers indicate, on average, having 27 different clients within their last six months of work,” and 52% of freelancers will work for the same clients repeatedly on different projects with most full-time freelancers working 36 hours per week. Among workers who find their projects online, 77% start their projects within a week – 21% start the same day.
Why is freelancing the wave of the future?
“54% of the entire U.S. workforce is not very confident that the work they do today is likely to exist in 20 years,” and both traditional and freelance workers agree. The study goes on to differentiate that freelancers are more aware of how their work is changing due to increased AI and robotics used in the workplace. Ultimately, the data reveals that the changing nature of the freelance workforce makes them more adaptable and is why they are likely to outnumber traditional workers in ten years time. Perhaps more importantly, 77% of workers believe that these same technological improvements are making it easier for them to find freelance work.
How will this impact our economy?
The numbers don’t lie, the freelance economy is good for the U.S.; “freelancers contribute approximately $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually – an increase of almost 30% since last year.” Part of the economic boost comes from freelancer’s preference to purchase their own benefits in the marketplace; 67% agree that “a healthy freelance economy boosts America’s middle class.” A current practice they’re likely to be able to continue because 72% of freelancers are willing to vote across party lines for candidates that support the freelance economy. They’ll be able to have a tangible financial impact on elections as well because 36% earn $75,000 or more – double the percentage that did from 2014. Further to, 66% say they earn more in the freelance economy then they did in a traditional workplace; 75% of them earned more in just their first year, with 37% earning more immediately.
One last interesting fact: “Freelancers skew more male than U.S. workers overall.” Ladies, given all the benefits the freelance economy brings, let’s get out there!
The data proves The Second Shift model and our members know that the findings of the study are true. We are the vanguard of the future of work– so let’s get more women to join us! Refer 5 new members and you will get a surprise thank you from us!
Last Thursday night a group of powerhouse women gathered at the home of Linnea Roberts to learn about The Second Shift. At Linnea’s art-filled home in Silicon Valley Gina and I presented our business to local female leaders in finance and technology. At the end of the our talk we pointed to note cards and pens laid out on the table and asked each woman to write down the name of one person that they could introduce us to—whether a future member or a contact at a company that could provide jobs for our members. That was our “ask;” gathering the women in the room was the first step, getting them to activate their own networks on our behalf was an invaluable next level of connections.
“I am often struck by the number of women who are afraid to ask for what they want and then qualify by saying “I hate to ask” —it really is okay and my pleasure to help,” says Linnea, a former MD and current diversity advisor at Goldman Sachs. She is an advocate for professional women and an investor in female start-ups, including The Second Shift. She is often asked for favors (like throwing a dinner for her friends and colleagues on our behalf–thank you Linnea) and strongly believes it the power of helping others in any way possible.
Gina and I are frequently asked for an introduction or to give someone advice and we do the same to others—that is the nature of business. However, meeting for a drink or a coffee without a clearly outlined goal attached is a waste of time for both parties. This was the topic of a panel on networking at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Under 45 conference that I recently attended. Here are a few takeaways from the panel:
· Get to the point—don’t waste time with small talk and then save “the ask” for the last 5 minutes.
· Follow up—if you asked for a favor make sure you update the person who helped you and thank them.
· Take charge—If someone connects you to another person don’t wait to reach out–take the reins and start the conversation.
· Be specific—come armed with exactly what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Both Linnea and the women on the Fortune panel are clear on the point of setting yourself up for success by knowing exactly what you need and being armed with goals attached to your ask. Linnea says, “be as specific as possible. Make it easy for me to follow through for you. Don’t lay all of your problems at my feet and expect me to solve them. Rather, have a few actionable things in mind that would genuinely help and are within the reality of what I can do for you.”
Finally, if you don’t ask, you don’t get—so don’t be afraid to ask! Too often women are worried about being perceived as pushy or inappropriate, but that’s all in the way that you set up THE ASK. Good rules to follow are: be polite and grateful, follow up and if you are uncomfortable, get over it! Just remember that people want to be of assistance and asking for something concrete helps them to help you. What’s the worst that happens, they say no?
A
recent study done by Pew Research
Center
showed that only 14% of civilian working Americans in the U.S. receive paid family
leave. Author Lisen Stromberg found in writing her new book Work PAUSE Thrive that the answer may lie in an increase in paternity
leave. In an NBC News interview about her book, Stromberg
said “if it’s equally a man or a woman who’s likely to be out because the
company offers parental leave, then the notion that a person is not committing
to their career or that they’re going to be a problem because they’re going to
leave is taken off the table.”
The
stigma in the workplace is real, but it isn’t the only problem.
If
you’ll allow a brief personal digression: I asked my own mom, a workingwoman of
the 80’s, “how did you do it all?” She replied effortlessly “every workingwoman
needs a wife.” (Full disclaimer my parents shared childcare duties equally –
something that was radical for the time.) I thought my mother’s words were
wrong, but after thinking about it I know she’s absolutely but not for the reasons we initially think of.
As
Stromberg explained, and is sadly widely accepted, workingwomen are seen as
uncommitted, because of their personal investment in childcare; yet, women without
children still feel the stigma of the notion that women aren’t focused at work.
It’s not just children that imply a lack of focus – it’s everyday life.
Workingwomen,
with and without children, feel an innate responsibility to ensure everything
both at home and at work goes smoothly, that everything and everyone is taken
care of. From consoling a co-worker over a bad breakup, to ensuring your team
has their own personal lives, to replacing the paper in the copier when it runs
low so our co-workers won’t have it run out in the middle of a project – we
worry about everything. If we can’t stop the worry, how do we at least equalize it?
Today,
more and more men are choosing to be stay at home dads, more and more partners
are taking on the housework. Yes, that’s progress, but not in the way we should
be thinking about it. The one issue we haven’t cracked is the worrying.
Here
are some tips to stop our restless minds:
Before winding
down for the evening, make a list of everything that needs to be addressed the
next day. It’s all there for you to handle in the morning and you won’t need to
worry about forgetting something. Bonus: if you’re a bit more organized you can
set up a weekly calendar of tasks for the next week on Fridays for worry-free
weekends.
Create a shared
calendar and task list for everyone in your family and/or in your workplace.
You can see where everyone is whenever you want and you don’t need to worry
about anyone.
Set email
reminders ahead of time. Do you have a colleague who always forgets to submit
their expense reports on time? Set a reoccurring reminder email that
will automatically send.
What
do you worry about? What are your thoughts on sharing this intangible burden
with your partner? How do you tackle your everyday worry-free? Share your
thoughts on our Facebook
page.
{written by Second Shift member & copywriter Chelsea Connor}
Until recently, there was a perception that in the freelance economy women were paid equal or even more than their male counterparts. However, three current studies reveal the opposite—that there is in fact a staggering gender pay-gap in the freelance marketplace. The findings of the studies showed anywhere from 19.5% to a 32% disparity between women and men.
If what we long believed isn’t true than what is the cause of these surprising statistics? One theory from a recent article in Fortune cites “the adage that men tend to be more confident in their own capabilities than women and thus are comfortable charging more.”
We can’t help but wonder – do women in fact lack confidence to ask for what they are worth?
Linda Vogel, a member of The Second Shift and an expert employment agreement negotiator, thinks the issue is more complex – “there are several issues that women have in common, even at the highest levels, with regard to asking for compensation. I have found over the course of many years of negotiating employment agreements that there seems to be the same narrative thread that repeats itself.” She shared the following advice to close the freelance pay-gap:
Likeability: Women want to be liked; we feel that if we are more aggressive in the “ask” whether it’s for compensation for a freelance job, or for a raise, it will make us unlikeable. Ask for what you require and deserve every time.
Entitlement: Men, generally, feel more entitled and more deserving of greater compensation or of a larger salary; women on the other hand, ask themselves “do I deserve this much?” Rather, what women should be saying is ”YES, I deserve this compensation.”
Advocates: Women are typically not good advocates for themselves. Part of being a good self-promoter is being able to talk about your accomplishments. Many women think of this type of advocacy as unseemly, not in good taste, or out of their comfort zone. They are wrong!
Often pitching freelance jobs can feel like a race to the bottom, but not at The Second Shift. According to co-founder Jenny Galluzzo, “it’s not always the lowest priced pitch that is selected for a project, there are many other factors that go into a client’s decision making: personality, location, and specific expertise being the most common. It’s important to ask for a fair price that realistically covers all potential time and expenses on a project – not just what you think will win the job.”
Women should be never be afraid to ask for what they think they deserve. Ever.
We should feel empowered by our skills and our creativity and ask for a fair price for our work.
We should ask ourselves what someone who is the perfect fit for the job would ask for as payment.
We should, perhaps, even ask a male friend what they might charge.
Ultimately, what’s the worst thing that can happen – you are told no? Turn that negative into a positive and have confidence that you did the right thing for you. In the future that client may come back for another project that’s a better fit.
These studies sparked quite the conversation among the writers of The Second Shift Blog. We’ll be going deeper into the issues and solutions around the gender-pay gap conversation in the coming days. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your reactions and thoughts on this very timely and relevant topic on our Facebook page.
Recent
statistics show that our country is making a clear shift in our definition of
work from traditional full-time employment to the “gig-economy.” Members of The
Second Shift know firsthand that the new economy of work is positive for women
for myriad reasons: new moms looking to re-enter the workplace or take on
part-time work, women trying to make ends meet on their own and women looking
to explore new creative avenues are going it alone and taking on second, third
and fourth shifts by both necessity and choice.
With
the new found freedom of flexibility, however, comes a new set of rules to
navigate, while we may not be chained to our desks we are now remotely chained
to our devices. When work is ever-present, what is the solution?
Here
are 3-ways to take back the freedom that technology allows to set boundaries in
the new 24/7 “gig-economy”:
Pick one day for you. Compartmentalize – clients assume they can get a hold of you at all hours, however, most
understand a day off, especially if you are upfront about your schedule. By
blocking off an entire day and telling them ahead of time that you are off-line
they can prepare, and you look responsible!
Divide your day. Let clients know what days and
hours you are dedicating to their project. To manage the worry that you’re
being unresponsive, create a set times during the day when you respond to all
emails. While it can be tempting to want to finish a task immediately for a
client, sometimes just a confirmation of receipt and a timeline for returning
are what a client needs to hear.
Keep a detailed calendar. As the saying
goes, “want something done, give it to a busy person.” Anyone balancing
multiple jobs knows that the calendar is key. When you follow a strict allotment
of time per task and outline that on your calendar you will find that you will
likely finish your work much faster. The critical part of this is that the
calendar shouldn’t just include work tasks, it should also include all tasks.
How else do you manage multiple jobs and responsibilities? Share with us on Facebook and be sure to “like” our page to receive all news related to The Second Shift and gig economy.
