Whilst progress is continuously being made towards improving the workplace to support and include women, with the aim of reaching gender equality in the workplace, there is still a long way to go.
If you’re unsure what the systemic issues are that keep women being treated unfairly, not having equal opportunities, and not being able to reach their full potential, take a look at our article “One Day Isn’t Enough: Here’s Why We Think IWD Is Lame”.
However, if you’re committed to creating lasting change and actively breaking down barriers for women in the workplace, you’re in the right place - keep reading!
10 Ways You Can Actively Support Women at Work
Ready to put more into action than supplying bare-minimum maternity policies and putting Linkedin posts up on International Women’s Day that celebrate the women in your team? Here’s your guide!
1. Have An Equal Pay Policy
The bottom line is, women should be paid the same as men for the same job. Despite progress towards gender equality, the gender pay gap remains a significant issue in many industries and countries. Equal pay policies can be implemented through various means, such as pay transparency, salary audits, and the elimination of discriminatory practices.
2. Address Gender Bias
Gender bias can occur in many ways, such as through unconscious bias in hiring decisions, promotions, or performance evaluations. It's important to address this bias and ensure that women are being evaluated fairly and equally.
One way to do this is by implementing blind hiring practices, where names and identifying information are removed from resumes and job applications during the screening process.
3. Provide Equal Opportunities
Women should have access to the same opportunities for professional development, training, and networking as men. This can include attending conferences or networking events, participating in leadership development programs, or receiving mentorship or coaching from senior leaders within the organization.
4. Promote Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance
Women often face challenges balancing work and family responsibilities, so providing flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies can help support them. This can include offering parental leave, flexible working hours, or remote work options.
5. Provide Adequate Maternity and Paternity Leave
Providing paid maternity leave can enable women to take time off to care for a newborn without losing income or job security. Paternity leave can also encourage fathers to take an active role in childcare, which can help to reduce the burden on women and promote greater gender equality.
If an employee does not want to have children, but they are offered maternity leave, they may still be entitled to other types of leave, depending on their employer's policies.
6. Create A Safe Work Environment
Women should feel safe and supported in their workplace. This means creating an environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, and other forms of bias. Organizations should have clear policies in place to address these issues and provide training to all employees to prevent them from occurring.
7. Advocate For Diversity
Organizations should actively promote diversity and inclusion by advocating for women's representation at all levels of the organization. This can include setting diversity goals, tracking progress, and holding leaders accountable for achieving them.
8. Celebrate Women's Achievements
Women's achievements should be recognized and celebrated. This can include highlighting their accomplishments in internal communications or award ceremonies, and creating opportunities for women to share their successes with others in the organization.
9. Educate Yourself And Others
Educating yourself and others about the challenges women face in the workplace can help to create a more supportive environment. This can include attending diversity and inclusion training, reading articles or books about women's experiences, or engaging in conversations with women in your organization.
10. Listen To Women's Voices
Women's voices should be heard and valued. Organizations can seek input and feedback from women through employee surveys, focus groups, or other forms of feedback. This can help to identify areas where changes are needed to better support women in the workplace.
Supporting Women At Work Means Supporting All Women
Supporting transgender women in the workplace requires creating an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of their identities. Here are some ways to support transgender women in the workplace:
1. Use Inclusive Language
Use gender-neutral language in communications and avoid making assumptions about someone's gender identity or pronouns. Use preferred pronouns and ask others to do the same.
2. Ensure Privacy and Confidentiality
Respect transgender women's privacy and confidentiality by not disclosing their gender identity without their permission. Ensure that all personal information is kept confidential and only shared with relevant parties on a need-to-know basis.
3. Provide Gender-Neutral Facilities
Ensure that gender-neutral bathrooms, changing rooms, and other facilities are available to all employees, including trans women.
4. Address Discrimination and Harassment
Ensure that transgender women are protected from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. This includes having policies in place to address these issues and providing training to all employees on how to prevent them from occurring.
5. Provide Support Networks
Offer support networks or affinity groups for transgender women to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges. This can help to create a sense of community and support in the workplace.
It’s Time To Take Action!
There’s no better time to take action towards breaking barriers for women at work than right now and working towards gender equality, both inside and outside the workplace.
