the workplace is on a man’s clock
The professional world has come a long way over the years, but there is still much work to do to ensure gender equality in the workplace. Many workplaces were initially established with men in mind, which can make it challenging for women to thrive.
One notable way the original design of the workday has a negative effect on women is the typical 8-5 schedule and 24 hour day. Abiding by this framework for time, we are supposed to work approximately 8 hours straight, have 8 hours of leisure time, and sleep for 8 hours. This model is designed around a man’s 24-hour hormone cycle.
The human body undergoes a variety of hormonal changes throughout the day, known as the circadian rhythm. These hormonal changes regulate our internal clock and affect our mood, energy levels, and overall health. For men, the 24-hour hormone cycle tends to be steady and predictable.
The primary hormone that influences a man’s circadian rhythm is testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is responsible for the development of male physical characteristics and plays a role in regulating mood, energy, and sex drive. Testosterone levels tend to peak in the morning and decline throughout the day, with the lowest levels typically occurring in the evening.
Cortisol is another hormone that plays a role in a man’s 24-hour hormone cycle. Cortisol is a stress hormone that helps the body to respond to threats and challenges. Cortisol levels tend to be highest in the morning, which helps to provide the body with the necessary energy to tackle the day’s tasks. Cortisol levels decline throughout the day, and are lowest at night when the body is preparing for sleep.
For women, however, this cycle is much more complicated, and lasts over approximately 28 days rather than 24 hours. This means during different times of the month, a woman may feel completely energized during the workday or completely drained. She may want to sleep for 8 hours at night, or in 3, 3 hour intervals throughout the day. Her mind may be focused, clear, and ready to take on the greatest challenge, or foggy and disoriented, hardly able to think straight. This pattern is completely normal for half of the population, yet our modern society ignores it, and expects women to comply with the clock designed for the male body.
the four phases of a woman’s hormonal cycle
Everyone learned about the menstrual cycle in sex ed (hopefully), but the menstrual phase is only one of four phases in this cycle. The female hormonal cycle is complex and involves fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones that can affect mood and productivity. These hormonal changes occur throughout the menstrual cycle, which is divided into four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal.
The menstrual phase, which occurs when the body is shedding the uterine lining, is often associated with negative mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or sadness. For some women, these mood changes may be so severe that they interfere with daily activities, leading to decreased productivity. Fatigue and cramping may also contribute to reduced productivity during this phase of the cycle.
In the follicular phase, which occurs in the days following menstruation, estrogen levels begin to rise, leading to improved mood and energy levels for some women. This phase is often associated with feelings of well-being and confidence, which may boost productivity and motivation.
During ovulation, which occurs around day 14 of the cycle for most women, estrogen and testosterone levels peak. This hormonal surge may be associated with a boost in libido and feelings of confidence, but may also lead to mood changes such as anxiety or emotional distress. These feelings may interfere with productivity for some women.
During the luteal phase, which occurs in the days after ovulation, progesterone levels rise, and estrogen levels drop. This hormonal shift can lead to mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, or depression which may interfere with productivity and motivation. Other physical symptoms associated with this phase, such as breast tenderness, bloating, and fatigue, may also impact productivity.
a short history of women in the workplace
The history of women in the workplace is a long and often challenging one. In the United States, women began entering the workforce in the early 20th century, taking jobs in factories, mills, and other industries. During World War II, women played a pivotal role in the workforce, taking over many jobs that men had vacated to fight in the war. After the war, many women left the workforce to return to more traditional roles as wives and mothers.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the women’s liberation movement sparked renewed interest in gender equality in the workplace, and women began pushing for greater opportunities and better pay. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and gender, and the Equal Pay Act of 1963 required that men and women be paid the same wage for equal work.
Despite these legal protections, women still faced significant barriers in the workplace. They were often passed over for promotions, paid less than their male counterparts, and excluded from certain industries altogether. It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s, with the rise of second-wave feminism and the increasing number of women entering management and executive roles, that progress began to accelerate.
Today, women make up almost 47% of the US labor force, but they still face challenges in the workplace. They are more likely to work in low-paying and part-time jobs, and they often face sexual harassment and discrimination. However, there have been many positive developments as well. Women hold more leadership positions than ever before, and many companies are implementing policies and programs to support gender equality in the workplace. With continued effort and progress, we can create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.
how to stop surviving, and start thriving
If you know me or have been reading for awhile, you should know that I’m not one to advocate for a victim-mentality. I believe that by empowering ourselves, we can achieve great things and overcome most barriers in the world today. With that said, it’s still worth acknowledging that women face a lot of obstacles in the world and workplace today, even though we may have it better now than our mothers and grandmothers did.
So even though the office, cubicle, corporate room, and literal clock were most likely designed for a man in mind, how can we women stop simply surviving, and start thriving in the workplace?
1. Start taking care of your d*mn self
First and foremost, get right with yourself. Eating well, creating a fitness routine, nurturing your mental health, and integrating wellness practices into your life will help you thrive not only in your personal life, but at work, too. I’m talking regular exercise, practicing stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or yoga, eating a balanced diet full of whole foods, and getting sufficient sleep.
2. Make sure you’re on the right path
There’s nothing worse than giving your all for a job or company that doesn’t value you or support your professional and personal growth. If your job is a constant stressor in your life, or your career of choice wasn’t what you thought it would be, don’t be afraid to change course and try another avenue to find work that is meaningful, fulfilling, and uplifting.
If you’re a woman who has or wants a family, it’s also important to find a workplace that offers flexibility and values working parents. Unfortunately, working parents can hold a stigma that they are unreliable or not as committed to their jobs. Having a workplace culture that supports working parents is essential for thriving as a working mom.
3. Get familiar with your cycle
Start tracking your menstrual cycle if you aren’t already! We already know this can be incredibly helpful for conceiving or not conceiving, or knowing when to plan your beach vacation. But even more, tracking menstrual cycles and mood changes may help you plan activities, schedule meetings, plan your workouts, and prioritize tasks during the cycle’s high-productivity phases.
Additionally, it’s good to know whether your cycle falls close to the average 28 days, or if it’s longer or shorter. Typically, between 23-35 days is within the realm of normal, but talk to your doctor if yours is longer or shorter.
4. Speak up and be heard
Women can sometimes feel that their opinions aren’t taken as seriously as their male counterparts, and it has been documented in studies and in Congress that women are not given the chance to speak at length as much as their male counterparts. However, it’s essential to change that by speaking up and being heard in the workplace. Share your thoughts on projects and plans, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and other women around you.
5. Build a diverse and powerful network
Networking is an excellent way to thrive in any work environment. Build a diverse network of mentors, peers, and supportive colleagues who can help guide your career, provide valuable feedback, and share knowledge and resources. Find other professional women from all walks of life who inspire you, and ask them for their thoughts, stories, and advice.
As your career progresses, seek to nurture relationships from your past companies, current organization, conferences, local community, religious community, your favorite fitness class, your kid’s friend’s mom’s, alumni events, and more. You never know where you might meet an amazing woman who changes your career trajectory for the better.
6. Be brave and take risks
Women often feel like they need to meet every qualification before applying for a job or accepting a promotion. However, it’s essential to seek out opportunities and take risks to advance your career. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges and stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. Take on a new project at work, learn new skills, and deliver results to build your professional reputation.
7. Support and uplift other women
Finally, it’s essential to support and uplift other women in the workplace. Too often, women’s voices are overlooked or dismissed in the workplace. By actively listening to and championing the ideas and successes of other women, we can help to build a culture of respect and recognition that benefits everyone.
Another way to uplift other women in the workplace is through mentorship. By sharing our experiences and offering guidance to other women, we can help them to navigate the challenges of the workplace and build the skills and knowledge needed to advance in their careers. Mentorship also provides an opportunity to build strong relationships and leadership skills, which can be invaluable for both personal and professional growth.
8. Give yourself grace
As a woman in the workplace, it’s normal to experience challenges, setbacks, and even failures. As we strive to achieve our goals and make progress in our careers, we may face obstacles and difficulties that can leave us feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. During these difficult moments, it’s important to give ourselves grace. This means being gentle and compassionate with ourselves, recognizing that we are doing the best we can and that it’s okay to struggle and make mistakes.
Giving ourselves grace is important because it helps us to maintain a positive attitude and mindset. When we are kind to ourselves, we are more likely to be resilient and bounce back from setbacks. We are also more likely to learn from our mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth and development.
I believe in you and your ability to break barriers, overcome obstacles, and start thriving in your work. If you found this helpful, please share with another incredible woman in your circle so we can all uplift one another.
Much love,
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