Rotorua women disgusted by 'sick time' comments

Rotorua women are disgusted with the "outrageous, sexist" comments made by business leader Alasdair Thompson.
The chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association has come under fire after saying on a radio talkback show that one reason women were paid less than men was because they took "sick time" every month and time off work to have babies.
Within minutes of the issue being outlined on The Daily Post Facebook web page, people were chastising him for his comments and calling for his resignation.
On the street men and women were appalled at Mr Thompson's comments and told The Daily Post they were sexist and uncalled for.
Mr Thompson said he advocated equal pay for equal productivity and women should be paid for their productivity. He went on to say "sick problems" once a month was affecting women's work productivity.
He has since apologised for his comments.
Rotorua's Carol Beard, who has been working since she left school more than 30 years ago, said she had taken only a week off work after the births of her three children and Mr Thompson lacked understanding.
"It is just an outrageous, sexist comment that has no place in New Zealand society.
"If he feels like this, then maybe he should do something to make it possible so women aren't forced into going to work to make ends meet and they can stay at home and look after their children, instead of chastising and alienating them. His head needs to roll."
Rotorua's Julie Hill said the comments were unfounded and wrong.
"It's absolute rubbish. I've never noticed it all my working life," she said.
"If men are sick they are usually a lot sicker than they really are, while women in the workforce learn to cope. Men just don't know what it's like."
Aimee Piree said the comments were ridiculous as women coped well with juggling family, home and work life. She took time off only when her daughter was sick.
"Most women who work full-time have learnt to deal with what life throws at them - they don't need time off."
Rachel Thaugland has just returned to the workforce after six years off to have her two children and described Mr Thompson's comments as "a load of rubbish".
Women in New Zealand were forced to work, unlike in Sweden and Norway where the Government paid them to stay at home for three years after starting a family, Mrs Thaugland said.
"It's a stupid comment based on generalisation of gender. Just look at this country; if we were a wealthy country most women would not have to concern themselves with working. It breaks our heart to leave our children in daycare. They grow up un-nurtured ... what sort of society are we breeding if we can't take time off work for our kids?"
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon said Mr Thompson's comments had no place in today's business environment.
"I think his comments will attract a lot of comments not only from women, but all sectors of the community," he said.
"I think contrary to his views, all staff should be treated with fairness, integrity and respect."
Figures for sick and domestic leave among public service staff, obtained by the PSA under the Official Information Act, show in 2010 men took on average 6.8 days sick and domestic leave while women took 8.4 days.
"Given that the majority of responsibility for children and other family members falls on women, I'm surprised there isn't a larger difference in the amount of days taken," said PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.
"What the statistics clearly show is that women are not taking days off each month.
"Research from the recent PSA Women's Survey shows that women are working long hours and gifting millions of dollars worth of extra work each year that they are not being remunerated for," Ms Pilott said.
"Despite a proud history on advancing women's rights, a huge gender pay gap remains in the New Zealand workplace and in some agencies is increasing. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of transparency around pay."