TIPS FOR RETAINING WOMEN IN THE SECTOR
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Childcare: Lewis says she assists one of her female members of staff with childcare fees. “Sometimes when women return after having a baby, by the time they take out the nursery fees, it isn’t worth them coming back to work. My assistance helps enormously, according to my employee.” Better facilities: “I’ve experienced some horrendous roadside facilities,” says Ferguson. Flexible working: “It’s very hard to juggle being a mum and running a business,” says Lewis. Crispe agrees. “With our industry being 24/7, it’s an extra hindrance for a working mum.” For female drivers, Ferguson says the issue starts as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. “You can’t expect a pregnant woman to lift 3,000kg a day. You have to take them off the road and try and locate them elsewhere in the business, perhaps in the office.” Women, not girls: Apparently a lot of women don’t like being referred to as girls. Although much debate surrounded this, in the end it came down to the tone of voice and the manner in which it was implied. Although Crispe admits that she calls her salesmen “boys” and her female team members “girls”, so she is even-handed in her use of the word.