Branch News Item

Branch: South Wales
Date: 07 Feb 2008
Title: Raising the Ratio presentation & lunch

The South Wales satellite branch hosted a successful ‘Raising the Ratio’ event in association with RICS this month.

The topical event, aimed at revealing recent results from the national RICS taskforce, was held in the Cardiff offices of Hugh James solicitors, and was attended by nearly 50 keen delegates from the local property and construction sector.

Presentations were given by Jonathan Harris, Chairman of the national RICS taskforce, Jean Godbert of Jones Lang LaSalle, and Sandi Rhys Jones of Rhys Jones Consultants; All of which revealed some interesting and poignant facts and figures detailing how females seemingly ‘drop-out and disappear’ from the surveying profession.

Following the main presentation, an animated question and answer session ensued, chaired by Jane Boyes, MD of Boyes Rees Architects and current Chairman of the South Wales satellite.

Discussions arose focussing largely on why women don’t return to the profession or even the sector, after leaving to take a career break, and flexible working and the required ‘work / life balance’ that should be enjoyed by both women and men was a melting pot of comment.

It appears that, although more companies and organisations offer increasing option for flexible working, those who follow this path or work fewer hours a week than some of their colleagues, can often be perceived to be of lesser importance or of having less commitment than their counterparts, where as, it can actually be the case that staff who work fewer hours, actually produce the same amount of output as their ‘full-time’ colleagues through the tendency to overcompensate.

Overall, it seems that the subject of returning to work is a complex one and can be difficult to manage, but groups such as the ‘Raising the Ratio’ taskforce are delving down to the root of the issue and aspire to promote change and progress within the property and construction sector.

Further details

Jean Godbert, Jonathan Harris, Sandi Rhys Jones of the RICS Raising the Ratio Task Force

Jane Boyes Chairman of the Satellite taking Q&As

Members in the audience

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