Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Letitia James is running for New York governor, Birchbox gets acquired, and women are less likely than men to ask for deadline extensions—and that’s a bad thing. Have a great Monday.
– On deadline. I’m writing this newsletter later than usual on Sunday night, but I wouldn’t ask for an extension even if I could. Is that because the Broadsheet needs to hit your inboxes bright and early Monday morning? Or is it because of—what else—gender?
According to research published in the WSJ, women are less likely than men to ask for deadline extensions at work. The trend cuts across job titles and years of experience: women at all levels report feeling less comfortable asking for more time to complete a project than men.
Ashley Whillans, an assistant professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, and Grant Donnelly, an assistant professor of marketing and logistics at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, wrote about their findings. They conclude that women “are more concerned than men about appearing incompetent” and about “burdening other people with their requests.” Those fears create a cycle of guilt and further discourage women from asking for more time, the academics say.
This is a discrepancy that has some real consequences in the workplace. Feeling uncomfortable asking for more time adds to the burnout that has only intensified over the past year and a half as women took on more responsibilities at work and at home—and leave the workforce as a result.
Whillans and Donnelly offer some solutions. Like many strategies to close gender and racial gaps in the workplace, it comes down to clear communication and formalized policies. Managers should make clear which deadlines are adjustable and which aren’t; create an explicit policy on project extensions; and communicate that asking to change a deadline isn’t a sign of incompetence.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe
The Broadsheet, Fortune’s newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women, is coauthored by Kristen Bellstrom, Emma Hinchliffe, and Claire Zillman. Today’s edition was curated by Emma Hinchliffe.
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- Chewy CEO Sumit Singh on the pet boom, the pandemic, and moving from puppyhood to profitability
ALSO IN THE HEADLINES
- Oral arguments. The Supreme Court today will hear oral arguments in two cases challenging SB8, the Texas abortion ban. The justices will focus on the question of the legality of the law's structure, which bars officials from enforcing the ban and allows private citizens to sue. CNN
- Subscription pivot. Birchbox, the subscription box beauty brand founded by Katia Beauchamp, was acquired by FemTec Health for $45 million (a number far below its onetime more than $400 million valuation). With its new ownership, the brand is planning to pivot to "personalized skin and health care products." Beauchamp will become a strategic advisor. RetailDive
- Ready to run. Letitia James, the New York attorney general, announced her run for governor last week. James oversaw the state's investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She'll face off against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took over after Cuomo's resignation, in the contest. New York Times
- Still not over. As the U.S. spending bill drops paid family leave because of opposition from moderate Democrats—namely Sen. Joe Manchin—some Democrats are launching a last-ditch effort to save it. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand hit the phones last week and hasn't changed her colleagues' minds so far, but says "it's not over until it's over." Washington Post
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Period leave. Could corporate America embrace period leave? Governments and companies in other parts of the world have started offering workers paid leave during their menstrual cycles, but the idea hasn't caught on stateside yet. Fortune's Kylie Logan has more: Fortune
- Academic schedule. An open secret in academia? Faculty members who are accused of sexual misconduct are often able to get new jobs at other institutions. This piece investigates how that practice harms students. Vice
- Resources for ERGs. Companies are investing more in Employee Resource Groups, and the organizations are gaining influence in the workplace as a result. Since the start of 2020, 35% of companies have increased their support for ERGs, by offering financial compensation to ERG leaders or seeking members' input on hiring. WSJ
- In this house. Those 'In This House, We Believe..." yard signs have long outlasted the Trump administration and resistance-era politics. Critic Amanda Hess analyzes the signs' staying power, from their roots in "mom decor" to their take on white womanhood. New York Times
ON MY RADAR
Barclays CEO Jes Staley steps down amid pressure over Jeffrey Epstein ties WSJ
Emily Ratajkowski’s new book tests the limits of self-awareness BuzzFeed
How America’s gun laws are failing domestic violence victims Reveal
For years, Black girls have been stuck on the sidelines of teen dramas. A new wave of shows is changing that Washington Post
PARTING WORDS
-Taylor Swift, inducting Carole King into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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