Continental Who's Who

Thursday, Mar 28th

Last updateMon, 30 Nov 2020 9pm

You are here: Home Sucess stories and Personal develpment Health and Others Others How Women in the Workplace can Proactively Work toward Progress and Equality

How Women in the Workplace can Proactively Work toward Progress and Equality

We hear about or experience it all too often — how hard women have to work to get to the top of their respective fields, it is imperative that society recognizes the impressive contributions of business women in a variety of workplaces. However, as the expression goes, it is a man’s world — and women still have to work harder than men do to earn appropriate compensation, recognition and benefits.   According to an April 2016 article published by CNN Money, “women generally earn 79 cents for every dollar men earn.” While the figure varies depending on the year and the economic state of the nation, “the figure hasn’t really moved meaningfully since 2000.” In addition, according to a 2015 New York Times article titled “The Great Divide in Workplace Benefits,” only 21% of American companies offer paid maternity leave and 54% offer “flexible hours” for working mothers. Another unfortunate aspect of being a woman in a ‘man’s world’ is workplace sexual harassment. While the conversation is difficult, the reality needs to be discussed.

According to a study made up of 500 participants conducted by the International Labour Organization and re-published by Aware.org, 54% or 272 participants experienced “some form of workplace sexual harassment.” Of those 272 participants, 27% experienced aforementioned harassment by their colleagues while 17% “were harassed by their superior.” An unfortunate 12% “had received threats of termination if they did not comply with the requests of the sexual harassers.” And to the entire point of this discussion, 79% of the 272 participants were women. So, how can women continue to work toward greater progress and equal treatment—while maintaining that work/ family/life balance? A female presidential candidate is a remarkable step, but if the gender wage gap continues to advance as slowly as it has in years prior, the metaphor of the ‘glass ceiling’ will remain prevalent in the business world. Here are a few tips for working women that will help promote progress.

 

Cliché — but dress for the job you want. The moment that you make your entrance at a job interview, you are a walking advertisement for your own personal brand — a definite catchphrase in today’s culture of professional Twitter accounts and All-Star LinkedIn profiles.   If you plan to do your latest club attire, complete with stiletto heels and a bandaid style skirt, it is a safe bet that you will not be viewed as a professionally appropriate candidate. Always overdress for caution rather than underdressing for comfort — in other words, stick to business style. Your personal brand already appears as a force to be reckoned with when it is dressed in a suit.

Speak up. If you find you are experiencing that murky feeling in your gut that usually indicates rampant sexism, do not be afraid to take the offending party to task. However, before proceeding, familiarize yourself with your company’s anti-discrimination policy and carefully prepare your argument. Stick to facts as steadfastly as possible and try to steer clear of embellishments. And, of course, if you are a statistic or become a statistic in the category of workplace sexual harassment, always report it — even if anonymously. Other women will revel in your courage — and you will help progress toward a sexual harassment-free work environment with each report.   

Lead by example. Even if you are not placed in a supervisory or management role, if you are a natural leader, there is no harm in showing it — in fact, showcasing your leadership skills can only help you as well as your colleagues. There is, however, a difference between acting as a leader and imposing rules on your fellow employees when you are not authorized to do so. In addition, broadcasting your efforts office-wide will not help your cause when looking for recognition from your supervisors. Again, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Let your hard work, dedication, stellar attendance record and just overall good work product speak for itself.   

Aim high. If you hear of a possible promotion opportunity within your company, ask about it — even if it appears as though it is a male- driven opportunity. Do not be afraid to compete with the men in your company who are your equals in terms of skills and achievement. If you allow them to hold you back, you are stopping progress and caving to covert sexism.  

Know your rights. Ask about your benefits — how much paid time off are you entitled to? At what point have you earned paid maternity leave, or is it automatically included with your benefits package? If you are a mother, is the company- sponsored childcare available to you, or is telecommuting an option should you find yourself caring for a sick child?

Find a mentor and/or sponsor. Whether your chosen people for these jobs are men or women, a mentor and a sponsor will help you take your professional prowess to the next level. A mentor will guide you through company culture, share experiences — both internal and external, offer constructive criticism when necessary, give praise when required and will share his or her honest opinion of all you do in the workplace. A sponsor will promote your personal brand and recommend you for promotions. In essence, a sponsor is someone within the company who will stay in your corner and vouch for your experience. You are the only one who can get you to the next level, but everyone needs advocates — especially within a corporate structure.

Network. What with the ‘personal brand’ catchphrase, you need a venue to promote your aforementioned brand. Social media is a great forum for networking, but sometimes you truly cannot beat face-to-face interactions. Keep your business card — and even your resume — always at the ready. Attend networking events — both those that are exclusive to women and those that are co-ed. Prepare an ‘elevator speech’ that you can recite at a moment’s notice. View every interaction as a networking opportunity. It is possible that you are not actively job searching, but opportunities come in the most unlikely of places. Networking does not only apply to interactions on the outside of your office walls — if you are giving your ‘elevator speech’ at your office, you are networking. If you are asking about internal opportunities, you are networking. 

Stand up for other women.  The focus of these tips has been furthering your own career, professional development and personal brand. While your own progress is of the utmost importance, the enhancement of professional women who surround you is of equal importance. If you are witness to gender discrimination or even sexual harassment, make it known — even if the victim is not nearly as empowered as you are.  While women have already made progress toward equal treatment and equality — starting in the 1800s with the Seneca Falls convention that ultimately resulted in women earning the right to vote, there are still metaphorical mountains to move. Men and women are both responsible for the culture — but it is imperative that women continue to fight for equal pay for equal work, adequate benefits and, most importantly, a workplace in which they feel safe.