On 8th March 2020, we recognise International Women’s Day. As an all-female team at CMCBP, we are strong advocates for women’s rights in all walks of life, especially in the workplace.
Why is Gender Equality important in the workplace?
Gender equality is an important factor in promoting inclusion in your organisation. Recognising women’s achievements in business is a huge part of the equity – it is not merely about having the same number of women employees as men. It is important to encourage and be accepting of new ideas and contributions in order to encourage new ways of thinking. A 2015 report from McKinsey that found evidence to suggest that companies with higher gender diversity are 15% more likely to have higher revenues than the average for other companies in their industry.
“When organisations embrace difference, they embrace possibility.”
Should International Women’s Day be celebrated?
Although we have come a long way in women’s rights, with the re-launch of the Women’s Business Council in 2019, which advises the government and businesses on issues such as women returning to work and how to get more women into executive positions. Also with the Women on Boards campaign which, in the report, recommended a minimum 25% female board member representation by 2015. Another positive impact for equality in the workplace is the voluntary programme of “Think, Act, Report”, designed to improve gender equality in the workplace. It encourages organisations to share what they’re doing to promote gender equality around issues including recruitment, retention, promotion and pay. However, there is still a long way to go…
As a 17.3% gap between men and women’s pay is still existent today (with reports showing 78% of the biggest companies in Britain reporting a gap in favour of men!), we have decided to publish a list of ways in which International Women’s Day can be CELEBRATED in the workplace!
- Show appreciation – say thank you to the women on your team. A simple token of appreciation to your female colleagues can boost confidence, and in the age of technology and social media, it has never been easier!
- Take part in the #BalanceforBetter campaign – launched by IWD, the campaign focuses on small actions that can
be done I the workplace in order to create a balance. A great activity that highlights and recognises the inequalities so that they can be addressed and worked on. - Specialised recognition for women as role models – allow employees to share stories of how their female colleagues have added value to the company and how they have made innovative and successful contributions to projects etc.
- Invite female speakers – organise talks or workshops from female business leaders, or on the topics of women in the workplace. Talking about issues of equality is a great way to start the conversations in order to initiate the important changes needed in this field.
These are only a few ideas in which you can celebrate IWD in your organisation, by mitigating stereotypes and biases, and working together to strive for change, we believe the gender pay gap can be eliminated.
For more information on topics such as Unconscious Bias training, contact Clare on [email protected] or on 07594946166.
Written by Siobhan Headd.
