Are men or women better employees?

[Louannbrizendine]

Soon over 60% of college graduates will be female. Do males or females make better employees over the long run? Many employers still worry that as soon as women have children they will abandon even a well-paid job to stay at home if they can. Is this unfounded or not?

[lqueen]

I have had great luck with both male and female employees. Pre-wedding distraction is tough with female employees but as part of a large company I did not have issues with pregnancy leaves. Now I have a small company and would be more nervous about hiring someone thinking about having children. I would explain that as I was hiring and have a frank discussion about it. It would be the issue of the 3 month leave that would be a problem.
I don't think a woman would abandon a well-paid job in which they felt valued. Most women I know find full time mothering a much more challenging job. (I'll probably get clobbered for that statement)

[Dawn Mular]

I agree with lqueen's take on this. I have managed a global team of professionals of both sexes, and find gender is simply never an indicator of better employees. I look at the individual's compliment to the position..

Many employers who have not considered the importance of child rearing to both parents. It is in an employers competitive advantage to learn that child rearing while working is possible, and they are wise to consider flex work requirements that allow everyone to be more productive, where it is possible to offer it.