It’S Really A Gender Thing

Men and women have far different views on employment, compensation and preferred work environments, according to recruitment studies by an online employment service.

The research by WetFeet.com found that men are more interested in financial incentives, while women are more concerned about job security. Also, women’s salary expectations continue to trail men’s.

Here are key findings, based on responses from more than 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students:

* The average annual salary expectation for men is $55,950 vs. $49,190 for women.

* Salary is an important factor to 85 percent of both genders, but bonuses and stock options are valued and expected much more highly by men. Women, on the other hand, prize good benefits, stable business models and team-oriented environments.

* Fifty-one percent of men and only 27 percent of women expect to receive signing bonuses, while 49 percent of men and 33 percent of women expect to receive year-end bonuses. Men also expect bonuses to be bigger, anticipating bonuses of $13,300, while women expect to receive $8,400.

* Fifty-five percent of men want a company with an entrepreneurial environment and more risk and rewards, compared with 35 percent of women. Thus, men are significantly more interested in dot-coms, venture capital and entrepreneurship, while women are attracted to advertising, entertainment and nonprofit industries.

* Rx for mind block: Regular breaks are the best antidote for creative blocks that can stifle productivity, a new survey concludes.

More than one-third — 36 percent — of the 200 advertising executives polled by The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service, said time out from work is the best way to avoid a creative block.

Other suggestions include:

* Change the music and colors in your work environment to keep it creative.

* Think out loud. Talk to yourself.

* Maintain a good sense of humor and engage in laughter.

* Don’t allow interruptions. Just turn off the phone.

* Losing battle: If you go to court to accuse your employer of flouting the Americans with Disabilities Act, the odds are stacked against you.

Last year, employers prevailed in 95.7 percent of federal court decisions under Title I of the act, according to the American Bar Association.

Workers’ victories keep declining. From 1992 to 1997, employers prevailed in court in 91.6 percent of the cases. In 1998, it was 94.4 percent.