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In today's workplace, promoting gender equality is not just the right thing to do - it's a must. Gender equality means everyone gets treated fairly, no matter their gender identity. It's about respect, inclusivity, and creating a level playing field for all employees.

While progress has been made in recent years, there are still lots of hurdles to overcome. Gender disparity continues to be a significant issue, with gender expectations often creating barriers for women. These barriers can create a lack of access to opportunities for leadership, impacting their career progression. From the global share of women in leadership roles (31%) to persistent gender pay gaps and gender biases, the challenges are complex and driving gender equality in the workplace is not just a tick-box exercise.

To tackle these challenges, organisations need to actively put in place clear plans and actions that support gender equality across the board. And creating an inclusive workplace isn't just about gender equality; it's also about ensuring equal opportunities for individuals from minority backgrounds, including race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and more.

In this article, we will look at five effective ways that your organisation can promote gender equality in the workplace, from implementing fair pay policies to creating an inclusive culture and providing support for work-life balance.

What is gender equality?

Gender equality in the workplace is about creating a fair and level playing field for all employees, regardless of their gender identity. This means making sure that female employees have the same opportunities, rights, and treatment as their male counterparts, and the same goes for any gender identity or expression, as well as any employees from minority groups who might face limited access to opportunity.

We've defined some key terms you might find useful below, in the context of gender equality:

Gender diversity: Embracing gender diversity goes far beyond having a strong representation of women at you company —it's about valuing and celebrating the unique perspectives of individuals of all genders. By fostering an environment that embraces gender diversity, companies enrich their workplace culture and promote inclusivity, gender balance, and respect for everyone.

Gender bias: Gender bias refers to the unfair treatment or prejudice against people based on their gender. Addressing gender bias is important for promoting equality and creating an environment where all employees are treated fairly and judged based on their skills and abilities rather than gender stereotypes or assumptions.

Gender inequality: Gender inequality refers to the disparities and injustices that exist between cis-gendered men and all other genders in various aspects of life, including the workplace. This can manifest in the form of unequal pay, limited opportunities for advancement, and systemic barriers that hinder career progression.

Gender inequities: Gender inequities refer to the unfair or unjust treatment experienced by individuals due to their gender. This can include discriminatory practices, harassment, and exclusionary policies that perpetuate inequality and disadvantage certain groups based on their gender identity.

Gender identity: Gender equality recognises and respects individuals' gender identities, whether they identify as male, female, or non-binary. Creating an inclusive workplace means acknowledging and accommodating the diverse identities of all employees, ensuring that everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.

Why is it important at work?

Gender equality isn't just a moral imperative; it's also important for business success. Here are five ways promoting gender equality benefits companies:

• Attracting the best people: Companies that prioritise a culture of gender equality are more attractive to diverse talent pools, increasing their ability to recruit and retain top talent.
• Driving innovation and creativity: Diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives and ideas to the table, driving innovation and creativity.
• Improving reputation: Companies known for promoting gender equality, and inclusive workplaces generally, build a positive reputation as fair and inclusive employers, earning trust from customers, investors, and the wider community.
• Improving employee satisfaction: An equitable workplace leads to higher levels of employee satisfaction and engagement, an increase in productivity and retention, and a reduction in employee turnover.
• Creating a positive and happy work environment: Addressing the lack of awareness surrounding gender issues is essential for creating a safe and healthy work environment. Working to eliminate gender-based discrimination fosters a culture of respect, ensuring that all employees feel valued and supported

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Remember, it's not only gender equality that is important in our workplaces. Building diverse workplaces for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, and people from different socio-economic backgrounds, is crucial in creating an authentically inclusive organisation that supports all employees.

Five ways to promote gender equality in the workplace

While progress has been made in recent years, there are still significant gender gaps to address, particularly in the participation of women in senior leadership positions, pay equity, and career advancement opportunities for women.

1. Get rid of the gender pay gap

Ensuring fair pay is crucial for promoting gender equality in the workplace. Here's what your company can do to get there:

Implement strict policy: Implement clear policies and conduct regular pay audits to identify or rectify gender pay gaps. Check out our policy guides and templates to get started!

• Menopause policy
• Fertility policy
• Pregnancy loss policy
• Parental leave policy
• Mental health and wellbeing policy

Transparency: Communicate openly about pay practices and salary structures. This will help foster trust and accountability.

Equal opportunities: Provide equal access to training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities regardless of gender.

Performance-based pay: Base pay increases and bonuses on performance metrics to minimise bias.

Continuous monitoring: Regularly check on pay practices and adjust policies as needed to address any disparities you see.

2. Focus on outcomes

When working towards gender equality, it's important to shift focus onto the work your employees are putting in, without judging the work based on who produced it. Through prioritising employee engagement and establishing equitable performance review systems, companies can cultivate a merit-based culture where individuals are acknowledged and rewarded based on their actual contributions.

3. Create a supportive atmosphere

To champion gender equality, companies need to confront gender discrimination, and unconscious biases, and address issues such as gender-based violence or violence against women head-on. This is incredibly hard to do, as unlike overt gender discrimination, unconscious bias is subtle, but it can have as significant an impact on the people who are on the other side of it. By actively involving women and individuals from minority genders in decision-making processes and providing unconscious bias training to the wider team, your company can pave the way for an inclusive environment where current employees can bring their full and best selves to work.

4. Look at your hiring process

An inclusive hiring process is essential for promoting gender equality from the outset. By offering gender equality training to hiring managers, ensuring diverse representation on interview panels, and being transparent about salary details, companies can attract a diverse talent pool that includes both male and female candidates. It will also be great for employee retention down the road.

5. Prioritise flexible working hours

Encouraging work-life balance and flexible work arrangements play a big role in advancing gender equality. By catering to employees' childcare needs and offering both maternal and paternal leave options, companies demonstrate their commitment to supporting a healthy balance between work and personal life. Flexible hours, especially for caregiving responsibilities, empower women and non-binary employees to manage their professional and personal commitments effectively, ultimately reducing career interruptions and bridging the gender pay gap.

How your company can benefit from bridging the gender gap

Research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership teams and inclusive cultures outshine their competitors across the board. By striving for gender parity, companies unlock benefits that can make a positive impact on long-term success and sustainability, as well as economic growth. By showcasing diverse leadership and providing opportunities for all employees to thrive, companies can serve as role models within their industries, inspiring other organisations to prioritise gender equality and inclusivity, and driving positive societal change.

Diverse teams bring a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, igniting creativity and innovation. It'll also boost employee satisfaction and happiness at work. When everyone feels valued and respected, they are less likely to look elsewhere for a job where they feel valued.

Companies that prioritise gender equality become magnets for top talent, especially among younger generations who prioritise diversity and inclusion. Being recognised as a fair and inclusive employer helps attract and retain skilled employees.

By fostering a workplace where gender equality, and inclusivity generally, is prioritised, companies unlock the full potential of their workforce, driving innovation, boosting employee engagement and retention, attracting top talent, and building a powerful brand that resonates beyond a small group of people. In doing so, they not only contribute to a fairer society but also position themselves for long-term success and growth in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

If you're looking for greater promotion of gender equality at your company and considering reproductive health benefits, or want to discover how Fertifa can help you meet your HR goals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch 💜