CEO's comments on women go global

Alasdair Thompson. Photo / Martin Sykes

Alasdair Thompson awaits a decision on his job as his comments go global.

The chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern), has attracted huge attention - much of it critical - since he spoke on radio last week about menstruation.

In a debate on gender pay equity, Mr Thompson said women deserved to be paid according to their productivity, just like men, and backed equal opportunity.

But he said that among many factors affecting work, women could be more likely to put their careers on hold while having children and take more sick leave. He suggested once-a-month "sick problems" could be behind the days off.

Amid the ensuing calls for his resignation, the EMA board yesterday cancelled a meeting on Mr Thompson's future at the organisation, and spokesman Gilbert Peterson said the decision should be known within the week.

Board member Laurie Margrain said yesterday that he still expected an answer within 24 hours.

On nzherald.co.nz, Mr Thompson's story has been shared almost 5000 times via Facebook. The second-most-shared story, "Thieves steal car as dying mum gives birth", was shared less than 600 times as of last night.

Media from as far as Turkey, Slovenia and Romania have focused on the case.

Canada's Globe and Mail reported: "Working ladies, listen up: Your period may be stopping you from getting that raise and earning as much as your male colleagues. Or so says a CEO in New Zealand."

Annette Evans, of Endometriosis Waikato, said Mr Thompson's comments were a chance to highlight a serious problem affecting tens of thousands of New Zealand women.

Women with endometriosis suffered from crippling period pain, three-quarters of whom expressed concern about resulting absenteeism and productivity, Mrs Evans said.

"Women and teen girls need to seek help if period pain affects their lifestyle."

WORLD VIEW

"Working ladies, listen up: Your period may be stopping you from getting that raise and earning as much as your male colleagues. Or so says a CEO in New Zealand."
- Globe and Mail, Canada

"Did you hear the one about the CEO who told the radio show that women make less money because they menstruate? Yeah."
- Jezebel, US