Issue# 11 Equalization between the sexes

The idea of equalization between genders in the workplace is a good goal, especially concerning pay rates, raises, and promotions. But I feel that to truly be equal, a law mandating positions for women is not the right solution at this time.

Right now, Americans are clamoring for less government (or government control) in their lives. For the government to exercise control over hiring decisions for top executives and boards allows for more influence in the workplace then most people would feel comfortable with. This would greatly effect thousands of companies, and not necessarily in a positive way. There may be some fields, there may not be, but there may be some fields where there are not a great deal of qualified women or men working. To counter this phenomena, a greater number of women could begin to study said field, but that takes time. Should major companies such as Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, fire half of it's board because the government feels it should?

Though this idea does support equality for women, it doesn't necessarily mandate equality for all. What if a board of directors consists of all women? Should men be allowed or mandated top positions, even at companies that cater to and are designed for women, such as Curves? Just as some qualified women today are not promoted in lieu of less qualified men, the program suggested may result in qualified men not being promoted in lieu of less qualified women.

To ensure both fairness and equality, rather then mandating a percentage of women on boards and in executive positions, a merit and/or voting system can be used, much like the congressional approval process for presidential nominees. Those panels consist of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. Similarly, when a position opens for a board of executives, an equal number of shareholders or other executives should be allowed to select the individual for the position. The panel should consist of equal numbers of men and women, all with equal voting power. The logistics of a stalemate could be worked out at a later date, as needs arise. But this seems far more acceptable then mandating positions for either sex, and keeps government offices from further controlling business decisions.