Alasdair Thompson: Public reaction

Alasdair Thompson's comments have garnered widespread reaction. Photo / Richard Robinson

Comments by Alasdair Thompson, the chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association, that there is a gender pay gap because women have monthly "sick problems," have garnered widespread reaction.

Within minutes of his statement being broadcast on Newstalk ZB yesterday, people had taken to social networking sites to express their own opinions on Thompson's thoughts.

We've rounded up some reaction from Facebook and Twitter:

"Not at work today. Nothing to do with Alasdair Thompson - it was rostered." @mcquillanatorz

"I would of had more of a go at Alasdair Thompson yesterday, but my period pains meant that I had to have a liedown and watch some Oprah." - @francescadejong

"So Alasdair Thompson's theme song is Cat People (Putting out fire with Gasoline) and the EMA's is Stand by Your Man." - @BruceBuckman

"Is Alasdair Thompson a dork or what in regards to his claim that menstruation affected woman's productivity. Hasn't he ever heard of Man Flu. Being a man flu survivor one would have to ask the question; maybe he should have been born 100 years ago then he would have got away with such comments. I suggest he has less then a week in his present position before he starts looking for another job." - Tom Babe, via Facebook

"If this old fossil Alasdair Thompson keeps his job I'll be taking some time off work to re address the sick leave balance." - @musicbyghost

"Just watched interview with Alasdair Thompson. He has perfected the art of shooting yourself in the foot while your foot is in your mouth." - @Boru_K

"I feel sorry for Alasdair Thompson - he's not that bad! You need to see the full interview...some media training wouldn't go a miss though." - @Sarah_Buchanan

"I'm still in bed. Heavy period has been v tiring this week, might not get up today to do anything productive. Then again I might get up & apply for a CEO job at EMA...Watch out Alasdair, I'm coming for your job!" - Justine Verrall, via Facebook

"#AlasdairThompson no one works harder than a woman." - @ColinMathura-Jeffree

"I think if I had to listen to Alasdair Thompson all day, I'd be bolting for the menstruation hut every chance I got." - @saniac

"Alasdair Thompson is wrong. I took way more sick days because of hangovers than I ever did because of period pains." - @Imanerina

"Alasdair Thompson has a point, yes he could've worded it differently and actually used his brains, maybe even Shouldve kept it to himself but he does still have a point although a lot of guys take more days off cause they hit the pub too hard :P" - Simon Bell, via Facebook

"Outstanding! Somebody give Alasdair Thompson his own show." - @gtiso

"Didn't give two hoots about gender pay rate differences before Alasdair Thompson opened his mouth. Still only give one hoot now." - @niceties

"Considering all our cycles have synched, lets all take tomorrow off & meet at the cafe for a coffee. RSVP to Alasdair Thompson's PA by 3pm." - @vajilly

"I have a sneaking suspicion that Alasdair Thompson is about to have a whole bunch of days off himself." - Carter Nixon, via Facebook

"Dear Alasdair Thompson. People _all over the world_ are currently having to rehinge their jaws." - @teh_aimee

"Flash poll at work. Alasdair Thompson is an idiot. Yeah I was surprised at the results too, but you can't argue with statistics." - @bjjanssen

"When I need a reminder about why I'm moving back to Sweden, I can think about how men like Alasdair Thompson exist and get exec jobs in NZ." - @di_twhitter

"Sorry give Alasdair Thompson a break I know that I have taken more days off for sick kids in my working life than my husband he is just stating the obvious." - Jacqueline Christiana Knight, via Facebook

- NZ HERALD STAFF