5 Ways to Support Women in the Workplace
By Kerry Rosado, DEI Consultant
We celebrate Women's History Month to remind ourselves of the accomplishments of women throughout the years to our culture and society. From science to politics, it's a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who lead the way for change.
Women wear many hats as caregivers and working professionals. So organizations need to cultivate work environments that support women to be successful. Here are five ways to show support.
Help women plan for their future: Many women put their personal lives on hold to advance their careers. By the time they reach their career goals, it's too late to have kids. Organizations can support women by offering IVF or egg storage options.
Help women become leaders: Representation is necessary at all levels of the organization, especially within leadership positions. Organizations can support women in the workplace by providing mentorship, leadership training, and establishing women as the point person or leader with clients.
Create HR policies that support women: The organization's HR policies and procedures need to be equitable regarding maternity leave, pay-gap, flexible work schedules, childcare, remote opportunities, fertility treatments, and evaluations that can disproportionately impact women.
Help women with virtual offices: Organizations can support women by subsidizing the cost of their home office. It will contribute to women being more productive by having a dedicated home office space.
Help women further their education: Organizations can support women by providing tuition reimbursement for higher education. It will help women advance their careers and step into leadership roles.
Intersectional Lens: 5 Ways to Support Women of Color in the Workplace
A McKinsey report shows that 83% of Asian women, 80% of black women, and 76% of Latinas want to be promoted. However, women of color represented only 4% of the C-Suite positions in 2018. Women of color face many challenges in the workplace, such as microaggressions, unconscious bias, and double standards. Here are 5 ways to show support in the workplace.
Be aware of bias: Organizations must track the performance of women of color and the velocity and rate at which they are hired and promoted versus their peers. It is the only way to measure progress in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Assess potential: Women of color have not been given the same opportunities as their white and male counterparts. So consider using Egon Zehnder's model that provides organizations with a systemic and objective way to evaluate curiosity, insight, engagement, and determination as indicators of future performance.
Be proactive: It can be challenging to be the only woman of color on a team. As a result, many opt out of happy hours and other social events. Managers can extend a personal invitation to attend office gatherings and make it clear that they look forward to getting to know them better.
Provide feedback: It can often be challenging to share critical advice, especially when differences such as race, gender, or age between the giver and receiver. Managers should push themselves to provide feedback that shows they care about their employees' personal growth and advancement but are unafraid to call out the areas for improvement.
Show appreciation: Studies have shown that statements made by black women were remembered less than those of their white female and male peers. Managers need to openly call out instances where good work is underappreciated or ignored and recognize the contributions of these women through formal and informal communication channels.
Leaders and organizations need to be more aware of their unconscious bias and how it impacts their decision-making, especially when hiring and promoting. Leaders need to step outside their comfort zones and recognize the accomplishments of people of color.
"Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal." ~ Ava Duvernay, Writer, Producer, Director, and Distributor of Independent Film
Sources