Gender inequality in the workplace is an important aspect to consider when aligning values for your company as an employer. A lack of it may affect the welfare of the employees, decrease productivity and also increase chances of conflict. It is therefore paramount that company CEOs and managers ensure to take the necessary steps to make the workplace as equal and diverse as possible, here is how; Evaluate company structures Gage your company time and again to see if the systems in place favour both men and women in terms of welfare and growth in career. For example, you can check if there are obstacles in place that can stop women from reaching roles in senior positions. Equal pay Another aspect that reflects gender inequality, is when men at times earn more than their female counterparts even when they are holding a similar position. Any employer who wants equality has to ensure that they are being transparent about payment with their workers. Make certain that women aren’t receiving less for the same roles as men. Balance leadership roles Men tend to outpace women when it comes to assuming leadership positions at work. This shouldn’t be the case however, as a company owner, break down gendered career paths such that women can also have the chance to access positions (on merit) that are mostly known to be for men. Raise awareness Give training to workers, raise awareness and promote gender equality at the workplace. It’s possible that some employees could lack information about the concept, this is when awareness comes in handy to fully equip people with the right skills in understanding and promoting gender equality. Demystify stereotypes Some workspaces still hold certain stereotypes about female employees for example that they are too soft for certain roles or not strong enough to handle certain projects. This however has to be neglected and instead provide an atmosphere where women are considered equal partners with men. Prioritise work-life balance Work-life balance is thought to be a vital aspect of a fit working environment. This is especially true for working mothers who need to strike a balance between attending to their careers as well as caring for their families. Any work place that for instance offers child care support facilities limits the number of female employees who drop out of the workforce. Challenge your own bias For any employer or employee to offer female workers a conducive and gender balanced workspace, they need to challenge themselves to overcome their own bias. At times, certain beliefs are deeply rooted in us that we hardly know when they are affecting our judgement. Dealing with this requires honesty and openly discussing about such issues. Punish gender-based harassment Sexual harassment is still a huge obstacle in the workplace. This among many factors have slowed the progress of equality in the workplace. Sexual harassment affects women in so many ways that some end up underperforming or quit their jobs all together. Dealing with such a case as an employer may require that you penalise offenders if you want to create a female-friendly work environment.
