Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability.
Yet, despite the concerted efforts of many in the business world, gender inequality persists in the workplace.
Even in the US, this is a reality for many women in the workforce. To gain a better understanding of this issue, we examined the reasons and look at ways to redress the imbalance.
If you want to foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment, read on to learn our tips for how to promote gender equality in the workplace.
Why Is Gender Equality Important?
A UN report found that almost 90% of men and women are biased against females. To tackle this issue head-on, we need to be mindful of this deeply-ingrained societal conditioning.
Why is gender equality important for your organization?
Simply put, when employees are given equal opportunities, it encourages a more productive workforce.
Great strides have been made in recent years for the inclusion of diverse groups. And the reduction of workplace discrimination. However, there is still work to do in this area. And it makes good business sense to do so.
Addressing gender inequality improves working conditions for all genders as well as business profitability. A gender bias effect as low as 1% at a Fortune 500 company hiring 8,000 people a year can lead to $2.8 million in productivity losses yearly.
The Gender Leadership Gap
Gender bias can affect the chances of deserving women being promoted and considered for succession hires. It‘s a vicious cycle, starting at the hiring stage. One of the unfortunate consequences of this is the gender wage gap.
The Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap was the reality most women faced for generations. Much has been done to stamp this out. However, Payscale’s Gender Gap Report found that the gender pay gap for women in 2022 is still $0.82 for every $1 that men make.
Discrimination plays a large role in this gender pay gap, often due to unfair stereotypes about women in the workplace. Until a gender-neutral system of fair pay is mandatory across all industries, this pay gap will continue. And women will continue to earn less than their male counterparts for the same job.
Tips For Promoting Gender Equality
The following tips serve as a guide on how to increase diversity and improve gender equality in the workplace.
1. Educate Staff About Gender Discrimination and Gender Inequality
The key to addressing social imbalance is always education. Institute gender equality training for both male and female employees, including management.
You could also invite reputable guest speakers to address your employees about gender equality awareness.
2. Encourage Feedback About Your Diversity Programs
Having established workforce diversity programs in your company is a step in the right direction. However, ensuring that they add value is imperative to success.
You could make it a regular occurrence that gender equality policies are discussed. Send out surveys to ask for suggestions and feedback.
It is also important to touch base with your staff to make sure that your efforts are well-received and not wasted.
3. Enforce Gender Equality Practices
Does your company have an official stance on gender equality? Providing equal opportunities is only one side of the coin.
Building an inclusive company culture should be a top priority. That means having strict anti-harassment and discrimination policies in place that penalize sexual harassment and gender discrimination. These policies should be effectively communicated to all staff members.
4. Afford Women Leadership Opportunities
One of the most effective ways to promote equality in your work environment is to offer more training and development opportunities. This is a surefire way to help empower women.
You can also create succession planning paths for women into managerial positions, wherever possible. This will promote job satisfaction as employees are happier and more inclined to stay at an employer who is invested in their career growth.
If you have a coaching or mentoring program, encourage and enlist more women to partake. This may give them a more vested interest in the organization.
5. Reassess Salary Structures in a Bid to Offer Fair Pay
Gender pay gaps exist only when businesses allow them to fester. Conduct a pay audit, and ensure that your salary structure aligns with equal pay laws. And market-related rates.
Use the information to make any necessary adjustments. Fair compensation practices go a long way in promoting gender pay equality in the workplace.
Like it or not, employees discuss salary information with others. Unequal payment structures will quickly become apparent.
Equal pay for equal work and skills acquired will further enforce the idea of gender equality among staff.
6. Revise Hiring Strategies
Gender inequality usually occurs at the hiring stage. Revise your hiring processes. Look for ways that your job postings and recruitment materials may unintentionally hinder gender equality.
Does your interview or onboarding process have hidden gender biases against women or other gender identities? They may be discriminatory without you even realizing it.
Review your interview techniques to check for possible gender bias. Use gender-neutral language and make it clear that you offer equal employment opportunities.
Closing Thoughts
Women play a valuable role in business, and yet their contributions are often still met with bias, discrimination, and unfair compensation.
There is much that you as HR leaders and hiring managers can do about gender inequalities in your organizations. With the proper commitment on your part towards change, the working environment can become a diverse and high-functioning unit.
Introducing workplace gender diversity, educating staff about gender equality, and closing the gender pay gap is crucial for any business to remain vibrant and profitable.
