How to tackle the office housework
In this article, Megan discusses the concept of office housework and how we can support women to tackle this.
The concept of office housework is discussed in a recent Guardian article, following the publication of a new book ‘The No Club’.
It refers to the type of activities such as serving on committees, shopping for leaving gifts, assembling entries for awards and similar “non-promotable work”. Work which is important to a functioning organisation but unlikely to garner any reward or recognition.
Some statistics discussed by the authors are staggering. One analysis, from a large consultancy firm, found women spending 200 more hours on these types of activities than men. This is equal to approximately a month of work. The imbalance arises as women are both more likely to be asked to do this work, and then more likely to say yes.
The situation is even worse for women from minority ethnic groups. These groups are often “taxed” for their underrepresentation by being asked to support company efforts related to equality, diversity and inclusion.
With more time being spent on this work than “high value and promotable” work, it is no surprise this is having a detrimental effect on women and their careers. They are either missing out on opportunities, not recognised for this work, or working longer hours to compensate.
When considering how to tackle this issue, there are two ways you can help yourself and help others:
Saying no or asking for recognition: It will be difficult, but consider whether you could say no to the ask. The author’s research found in a mixed gender group women were 48% more likely to volunteer. In this situation, you could hold back and wait to see if someone else steps forward. You are not obliged to take on this work. If you are asked directly to take on a task, ask how this activity will support your work, goals or what recognition you will receive.
Delegating more fairly: As you become more senior and in a position of power, you can reflect on who you are asking to complete these tasks. Do you ask other women in your team as you face less resistance from them? You could set up a rota to ensure the tasks are more fairly distributed. Alternatively, you can find a way of recognising this work and all the contributions to your team.
References: Guardian article, The No Club