Employers Federation

Well, what was he thinking! I expect there are lots of blokes out there who think like this, but to say it on national television...what a disaster. And it makes you think doesn't it. If that's what they are thinking, we don't have to worry about the glass ceiling - most women are never going to get near it anyway. I am not a great admirer of Helen Clark but I bet she never had time off because of her 'monthlies'! In fact, thinking of my female friends and colleagues, I don't ever recall any of them having time off for period pain and associated discomfort - they take pain killers and get on with it. I can, however, remember many a male workmate having time off after a hard weekend drinking or a tough Saturday playing rugby, or having weeks off after a dirt bike accident, pulled muscles playing sport or doing physical work at home. Men are also more likely to have car accidents and heart attacks. And then there is 'Man Flu' - a sniffle cold that a woman will work through is cause for a day or two in bed for a bloke.