Gender inclusivity has been a huge topic of conversation, especially in regards to the workplace. We’ve come a long way over the past few years, yet despite all of the work that our society has accomplished in creating a more inclusive work environment, women still face challenges in finding equal opportunity and promotion in the workplace, especially when seeking advancement.
In many cases, I’ve seen women who are not only seeking equal opportunity – they are also seeking equal treatment. Studies have shown that despite the increased awareness to the treatment of women in the workplace, many women still experience sexism, sexual harassment, and less opportunity to take on leadership roles within their organization.
Here’s how these factors have had an impact on the workplace, and what your organization can do to improve mental health, safety, and wellbeing for women within the work environment.
Sexism and harassment
Approximately 23% of women between the ages of 16 to 30 have said that they’ve experienced discriminatory actions, such as sexism and harassment, in their work environment. What happens to an employee’s mental health when they feel as though they are being discriminated against or harassed because of their gender? Employee dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression are often the results.
These challenges paint a truly disheartening picture for women seeking leadership opportunities, and it goes to show that employers must be vigilant as to what happens within their organization. I always advise HR professionals to maintain an open door policy with any and all team members so that they may feel comfortable reporting harassment or discrimination, if it occurs. This is a big step towards having a safer work environment.
The lack of equal opportunity
It makes sense that if you put in the hard work and effort, you should be able to reap the benefits. Unfortunately, women are less likely to receive a promotion, often for the same C-Suite positions as their male peers. For women of colour, promotion is even less likely, despite them being 16% more interested in Executive positions. Additionally, women who have families are often passed up entirely for potential leadership roles.
So, what’s the solution? A diversity policy founded on providing equal opportunity to employees (e.g. having the same amount of women as men promoted to more prominent positions) is one of the best recommendations I can make for an organization looking to create a more inclusive space. You may find that having more women in c-level positions offers unique perspectives and methods of business execution that may not have occurred in your organization before.
In addition to this, most are now required to offer parental leave to parents of either gender after the birth of a child. This ensures that both men and women are considered equally valuable to the organization, in conjunction with contributing to their own family dynamic.
Equal pay for equal work
In Canada, women still only make 74 cents for each dollar that their male counterpartsmake. This is a staggering difference, and it’s something that has been brought to the attention of several organizations. The wage gap has partially occurred as a result of more paying positions being available to women since the inclusion of women in the workforcein the 1950s. However, the current wage gap is likely part in par to gender discrimination.
All employees deserve to be paid equally for equal work. Your employees’ health and happiness are vital to your organization’s success, and it is crucial to remain aware of your employees’ needs and goals, especially when it comes to their mental health.
With your help, your organization can ensure that the workplace is a safe and inclusive space where equal opportunity and resources are provided, not just for your organization’s success, but also for the peace of mind of your employees. If you need more assistance in improving the health and wellness of your organization, or in creating new initiatives for the wellness of your staff, contact your Employee Assistance Program today.