The Paula Principle

why women lose out at work — and what needs to be done about it

Tom Schuller author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Scribe Publications

Published:11th Jan '18

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

The Paula Principle cover

Shortlisted for the CMI Management Books of the Year Awards.

An expert on innovation argues that many capable women are losing out at work, and that this harms businesses, individuals, and society.

Women now outperform men at every level of education, yet in the workplace they are under-promoted and under-paid. Here, Tom Schuller examines why this happens, and asks what we can do about it.

Schuller identifies the five factors which prevent women from achieving their full potential. He argues convincingly that addressing these will not only make society fairer but also make workplaces function more effectively — yet this will only happen if men change their patterns of work and attitudes to careers.

This book is required reading for anyone who would like to see the world of work become more dynamic and fulfilling.

‘Tom Schuller writes candidly on an issue too many men would rather not confront - why working women operate below their level of competence. The glass ceiling in learning is all but shattered. This book brilliantly establishes why now it’s time for the work place.’

-- Jon Snow
‘A really interesting book — and an encouraging one, despite its central premise.  It provides an absorbing and accessible look at what exactly holds today’s women back — and what we can do about it. The Paula Principle deserves to become an instant classic.’ -- Melissa Benn * author of What Should We Tell Our Daughters? *

‘Essential reading for anyone who thinks about the future of work; compelling evidence showing how unions help women and men build alternative working lives; and a powerful argument for radical changes to achieve genuine equality.’

-- Frances O'Grady, General Secretary of the TUC
‘In a world where women’s work, despite changes in the last decades, is still given less recognition than men's at every level, and where the gap is closing slowly if at all, it lifts the spirits to find Tom Schuller’s thoughtful book analysing with subtlety and elegance why this might be so. He reminds us, as if we needed reminding, that the problem of equality is by no means solved and needs continually to be rethought.’ -- Ursula Owen * founder-director of Virago Press *
‘It’s almost 50 years since the Equal Pay Act, women are doing brilliantly in education — and yet gender, and gender inequalities, are still huge issues. The Paula Principle tells us both why and why we should care. It’s a splendid analysis, a fascinating read — and a great way to understand just how differently women, as well as men, experience today’s reality. Just try Schuller’s test on page 230 with yourself and your family.’ -- Alison Wolf (Professor the Baroness Wolf of Dulwich)

‘The path to equality thus far has involved women converging on traditionally male employment patterns, Schuller argues: now is the time for men to move towards traditionally female ones — to improve equality and work-life balance, and to make better use of our resources.’

-- Jessica Abrahams * Prospect *

‘[Schuller’s] passion for social justice is stamped on every page of a study whose clarity and well researched insights are captivating.’

* Times Higher Education *

The Paula Principle is an important book. Tom Schuller presents fresh reasons which explain women’s continued disadvantage in the workplace and what can be done about this. The book’s case studies and examples also make the book eminently readable.’

-- Sue Williamson, senior lecturer at School of Business, Australian Defence Force Academy

‘Why do women tend to outperform men in education, yet earn less in the labour market? In this important new book, Tom Schuller shows that gender inequity should concern all of us. A society where women work below their level of competence is missing out on the chance to reach its potential. With pithy statistics, fascinating interviews and entertaining literary references, this book explains why the Paula Principle has emerged, and how we might work together to fix it.’

-- Andrew Leigh MP, author of The Economics of Just About Everything

  • Short-listed for CMI Management Book of the Year 'The Commuter's Read' 2018 (UK)

ISBN: 9781911344605

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 18mm

Weight: unknown

256 pages

B format edition