Dame Susan Devoy: Women's work never ends

Alasdair Thompson, the CEO of the Employers and Manufactures Association, must have had a brain explosion when he commented that "there is a gender pay gap", but people only need "to look at who takes the most sick days", as to the reason for it.
He says women's productivity in general is lower than men's and, while women might be more productive on an hourly basis, some take sick days when they get their period.
"Once a month, they have sick problems. Not all women, but some do. They have children, they have to take time off to go home and take leave," he said.
"I don't like saying this because it sounds like I'm sexist but it's a fact of life."
While there may be an element of truth in his statements, it's a brave or perhaps stupid man who would pass judgment on such sensitive issues.
Labour women's affairs spokeswoman Carol Beaumont said the Government should be demanding an explanation from Thompson.
"I am sure women do take more time off to look after children - they do the lion's share of caring work - but to suggest they deserve to be paid less for doing so, or because they are having 'monthly sick days' is shameful," she said.
For most of us women, and we all know there are always exceptions to every rule, our children and the responsibility associated with creating a stable family environment always comes before work responsibilities.
Unfortunately this creates, as we have seen, the impression that priority is not delivered in the workplace, particularly so when an issue arises on the home front or as Mr Thompson has suggested, "women's problems".
So many working mothers are torn. Ask any mother where they would rather be when their child is sick and I know that without a doubt the answer would be an overwhelming desire to be at home.
In this day and age, working is often not a choice but a necessity. But the reality is that, especially in the early years, a mother's instinct is so strong that she feels intense guilt being at work in the first instance and even more so when children are sick or other issues arise at home.
We are constantly bombarded by articles on work-life balance. Is it any wonder that so many women feel compromised on every front and conflicted in her sense of duty to her family and her employer?
Today, there are so many families with both parents working. I am sure that not every household is the same, but research shows that the mother is still doing most of the parenting and running the household as well as working.
Throw in the mix some common hormonal changes that seem to hit us at all stages of life and it is a miracle that, by and large, the majority of women are contributing as much if not more than their male counterparts at home and in the workforce.
Undoubtedly, there are situations where the employer must lose out; in terms of cost, productivity and the uncertainty that must occur in employing women who have young families.
Factor in the grossly unfair maternity leave legislation that doesn't really encourage employers and then you will understand why an employer would not hire a female of child-bearing age over a male or female over 50 years old. The reality is that this demographic is sure to place additional costs, risks and uncertainty.
This issue is far more important than talking about women's monthly cycles. How do we enable and encourage working women to be confident and valued about doing both roles?
I think Mr Thompson will or has regretted his comments. Perhaps to make a point we should stick him in a room with a group of premenstrual women. I am sure he would change his view.