I was watching Neighbours on Television a couple of nights ago and they were tackling a major womens' issue - the belief that young women who want kids should take on a lesser role so as not to impede the progress of their 'female with balls' counterparts. In this particular episode, a young soon to be lawyer was told quite firmly that you can't have it all and she should get out of the game so as not to make it harder for the other females who apparently want only to have a career.

The fact that this is being tackled in a show like this is fantastic. It shows the bias that some women do have towards their potential 'baby-making' counterparts. I have come across this a lot in industry. The very women who are supposed to support you and help you balance your career life with your family life are the obstacles in creating the culture that will make this happen.

I had a meeting with a very dear friend in a senior position in the mining industry who is going about it the right way. She says that the culture for work-life balance in her company is there but women aren't using it. These women are indoctrinated in the belief they have to work longer and harder to get the same rights as their male counterparts. The woman mine worker of the past was tough and did it the hard way.  Although this was true of industry, things are changing rapidly. Work life programs and benefits are for male and female alike and this is the perfect time to access them.

This wonderful young woman knows that she must be the role model for the women in her organisation to change their attitudes and beliefs. With programs, support and great role models, the change can begin. After all we work to live and as enjoyable as that is, it shouldn't be live to work!